DMW hikes minimum monthly wage of Filipino domestic workers

Higher minimum monthly wage and annual medical checkups are part of the reform package adopted by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) in a bid to ensure the protection and well-being of Filipino domestic workers.

Under the DMW's Advisory No. 25 s. 2025, the department will implement an increase in minimum monthly wage for Filipino domestic workers from $400 to at least $500.

The advisory provides that the increase shall be integrated into all DMW-processed employment contracts. 

Migrant Workers Offices (MWOs) were directed to engage host governments and foreign recruitment agencies to facilitate the implementation of the wage standard.

"The new wage floor reflects the recognition of domestic work as work of equal value deserving of fair compensation," the advisory read. 

Signed by Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac on August 22, the DMW advisory adopts enhanced reform programs for Filipino domestic workers with a goal of uplifting the dignity and well-being of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

"These reforms reinforce the Philippine government's commitment to decent work, ethical recruitment, and strengthened welfare mechanisms for Filipino domestic workers deployed abroad," it added.

Another key component of the reforms package is annual medical checkups and hospitalization or treatment for overseas Filipino workers.

The DMW said these shall be initially implemented on a voluntary basis and free of charge.

Under the advisory, the private recruitment agencies and principals, particularly the foreign recruitment agencies and foreign employers, "shall cause the hospitalization and/or treatment" of OFWs in cases of work-related accidents and illnesses.

Other components of the reform package include:

• Implementation of Mandatory "Know Your Employer" (KYE) Protocol to Ensure Transparency and Informed Consent between the domestic workers and employers through mandatory video conferencing before their contract finalization
• Implementation of the "Kumusta Kabayan?" Digital Welfare Monitoring System for direct welfare checks on OFWs 
• Reskilling, upskilling, and career mobility program 
• Stricter standards for recruitment agency accommodation facilities
• Whitelisting policy for recruitment agencies for proven compliance and ethical practices of deployment of workers
• Rights-based approach through legal and other forms of assistance under the DMW AKSYON Fund

Reforms related to the higher wages, medical checkups, the Know Your Employer protocol, and the digital welfare monitoring system will have a 60-day transition period.

"We will allow ourselves a transition period of 60 days after the issuance of the advisory, which I will sign today (August 22). The advisory shall apply to all recruitment agencies and employers here or abroad with newly hired domestic workers under employment contracts entered into, or with vacationing or returning domestic workers under contracts renewed," Cacdac said. 

The department is set to issue operational guidelines for each component of the reforms package. — VDV, GMA Integrated News