The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board in Region VII (Central Visayas Region) motu proprio issued Wage Order No. ROVII–DW-04 on 18 April 2024, increasing the monthly minimum wage of kasambahays by P500 in all areas. The monthly wage rate for chartered cities and first-class municipalities in the region will now be P6,000, and P5,000 for other municipalities:

In accordance with existing laws and procedures, the wage order was submitted to the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) for review and was affirmed on 22 April 2024. The wage order will be published on 25 April 2024 and shall take effect after 15 days from its publication, or on 11 May 2024.  

The increase considered the results of the survey conducted and public hearings, as well as the needs of domestic workers and their families, the employer’s capacity to pay and the existing socio-economic conditions in the region. The Board, comprised of representatives from the government, management and labor sectors, conducted public hearings last 07 April 2024 in Minglanilla, Cebu and a wage deliberation on 18 April 2024. 

The wage increase for kasambahays is expected to benefit a total of 107,931 domestic workers – approximately 14% (15,099) of whom are on live-in arrangement. 

RTWPB VII shall undertake information campaigns to ensure compliance with the new wage order. For further clarifications on the matter, the RTWPB may also be reached through its email address rb7@www.aliflora.vip.  

The last wage order for domestic workers in the region was issued on 24 May 2022 and became effective on 14 June 2022.