By Erwin Nicavera/ PNA
BACOLOD CITY — The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB)-6 (Western Visayas) has approved a PHP500 salary increase for domestic workers or “kasambahays” in the region.
This was confirmed by Wennie Sancho, labor representative to the RTWPB-6, on Tuesday after the board concluded a three-day marathon hearing in Iloilo City last week.
“The computation of the labor sector showed the amount to be restored is PHP598 per month, so the PHP500 increase is fair enough,” he said.
Sancho said the PHP1,000 increase they initially proposed would be too high considering the drop in inflation.
“We have yet to sign the final copy of Wage Order No. 3 which will take effect 15 days after publication,” he added.
Wage Order No. 2, which lapsed last December 8, prescribed a minimum wage rate of PHP3,500 per month for domestic workers in the region.
Under Wage Order No. 1, domestic workers in cities and first-class municipalities were prescribed to receive PHP2,500 per month while those in other towns were entitled to get PHP2,000.
The salary of domestic workers in cities and first-class municipalities increased by PHP1,000 per month, and those in other towns, PHP1,500 as provided in Wage Order No. 2.
With the approved increase, all household workers in Western Visayas will be entitled to get a monthly wage of up to PHP4,500.
Sancho said that for the labor sector, the salary increase will enhance the purchasing power of the domestic workers in the region.
“It would somehow provide an economic relief to these workers,” he added.
Under Wage Order No. 2, withholding and interference in the disposal of wages of the domestic workers are declared unlawful and shall be punishable.
The order removed the classification of “kasambahays” as all are receiving the same wage rate regardless of whether they are working in cities or different classes of municipalities.
