The wage boards of Metro Manila and Caraga region have approved a minimum wage increase for employees and domestic workers, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said.
In a statement, the DOLE said the wage hike will be implemented through a wage order issued by Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) in Caraga and National Capital Region (NCR).
Specifically, the RTWPB of Caraga issued Wage Order No. RXIII-18, which took effect on Dec. 5, raised the minimum wage by P20 per day for all sectors, and a second tranche of P15 will be granted on May 1, 2024.
Caraga's RTWPB also issued Wage Order No. RXIII-DW-04, which will raise the monthly minimum wage for kasambahays to P1,000, raising the P5,000 monthly wage rate for domestic workers in the region.
Meanwhile, the Metro Manila wage board granted a P500 salary increase for domestic workers, bringing their income to P6,500 by Jan. 3, 2024.
The labor department said the wage orders of Caraga’s RTWPB will be published on Dec. 16 and will take effect on Jan. 1, 2024.
The wage order for kasambahays in the NCR will be published on Dec.18 and will take effect on Jan. 3, 2024.
It stated that 65,681 minimum wage earners in the Caraga Region are anticipated to immediately benefit from Wage Order No. RXIII-18.
However, the salary hikes for kasambahays in CARAGA and NCR are estimated to benefit a total of 256,476 domestic workers, nearly 57% (146,202) of whom are on a live-in arrangement.
The last wage orders for workers in private establishments and domestic workers in Caraga became effective in June 2022.
While Metro Manila domestic workers last received a minimum wage hike in July 2022. (Trixee Rosel)