Makati city: The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is rolling out a comprehensive set of reforms to enhance the protection of overseas Filipino domestic workers, including a monthly wage increase from USD400 to USD500.
According to Philippines News Agency, during a media briefing at the DMW office, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac announced that the new minimum wage, set to take effect 60 days from issuance, was developed after six months of consultations with stakeholders. This increase will be integrated into employment contracts and processed by the DMW.
Cacdac emphasized that the increase aims to ensure just remuneration and uphold the rights of domestic workers to fair wages. The new minimum wage signifies the recognition of domestic work as valuable labor deserving of fair compensation. Migrant workers' offices are also instructed to engage host governments and private entities to discuss and implement this new wage standard.
He clarified that this wage increase is a minimum requirement and could be higher based on the host country and workers' skills.
In addition to wage hikes, Cacdac highlighted seven other components of the reforms aimed at improving the safety, welfare, and career development of household workers. These include an annual medical check-up, initially voluntary but eventually mandatory, funded by the DMW Aksyon Fund. A "know your employer" video call will also be a requirement before contract signing to ensure transparency and informed consent.
A digital monitoring system, "Kamusta Kabayan," will be piloted in Kuwait and Israel, allowing the Philippine government to assess the welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) through emails or calls. This system aims to identify potential welfare issues and provide timely assistance, whether legal, medical, psychosocial, financial, or reintegration.
The DMW plans to enforce stricter housing standards for recruitment agencies to ensure decent accommodation for workers awaiting deployment. Additionally, the department will enhance its whitelisting policy for recruitment agencies, allowing only those with proven compliance and ethical practices to deploy workers abroad, while non-compliant agencies will face sanctions.
Cacdac also announced plans to create separate job categories for domestic workers and caregivers, acknowledging the different skill sets and responsibilities involved. A separate minimum wage for caregivers will be established soon.
Most Filipino domestic workers are deployed to the "big four" markets: Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, and Kuwait. The reforms are designed to protect workers in all destinations and support reskilling programs through TESDA for those transitioning to other industries such as caregiving and hospitality.
