Household helpers in NCR get P1,000 wage hike

Amid rising prices of commodities, the National Capital Region Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (NCR-TWPB) has approved a P1,000 increase in monthly pay for household workers in Metro Manila.

“Our wage increase for our kasambahay of additional P1,000 a month, bringing the monthly take home of our kasambahays in NCR to P6,000 a month,” Department of Labor and Employment Director Rolly Francia said in Tina Panganiban-Perez’s report on “24 Oras” on Wednesday.

About 200,000 domestic workers in Metro Manila are expected to benefit from the minimum wage increase.

“Siyempre po masaya kasi dagdag panggastos din po iyon. Tapos makakatulong din po sa pinapadala kong budget sa Bicol... malaking halaga na ang P1,000 dahil marami ka nang mabibili,” domestic worker Joanne Del Castillo said.

(Of course, it's fun because it's also an extra expense. Then it will also help with the budget I am sending to Bicol... P1,000 is already a big amount because you can buy a lot.)

However, Labor Secretary Silvestro Bello III said the P1,000 increase is still insufficient.

“In fact, sabi ko nga ‘yung increase to P6,000 eh napakababa pa ‘yun kasi sabi ko nga ngayon, nagbabayad na ako ng 7 (kasambahay) eh ‘di ba kasi ‘yung pagkakaroon ng kasambahay is not a necessity. To me, it’s just a luxury eh,” Bello stressed.

(In fact, I said ‘the increase to P6,000 is still very low’ because I’m already paying 7 (kasambahay)... having a having is not a necessity. To me, it’s just a luxury.)

The NCR-TWPB’s decision will still be subject to review by the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWCP) which is scheduled to meet on THursday.

Once the decision was approved, it would be published and would take effect after 15 days.

Data from the Philippines Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that there are 1,864,065 private household workers nationwide.

This June, the wage increases for domestic workers in various regions became effective. About P500 to P2,500 was added to the minimum wage depending on the region.

If an employer does not comply with the minimum wage, the helper can file a complaint with the regional wage board or the DOLE field offices.

“May rule ang NWPC dyan ng payment prescribe a minimum wage ay subject sa penalty,” Francia said.

(The NWPC has a rule that payment prescribing a minimum wage is subject to penalty.)

“Bibigyan namin siya ng compliance order. Pag hindi sumunod, eh di hahabulin namin yung pera niya kung mayroon man siyang deposito, i-garnish namin... it will pass through judicial process din,” Bello added.

(We will give him a compliance order. If he doesn't comply, we will chase his money. If he has a deposit, we will garnish it... it will pass through the judicial process as well.) -- Mel Matthew Doctor/BAP, GMA News