CEBU CITY - The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB-7) is currently assessing the wage standards for domestic workers, known locally as 'kasambahay,' in the province of Cebu. This move aims to possibly adjust their salaries in light of economic changes and living cost considerations.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Central Visayas Regional Director and chair of the RTWPB-7, the existing wage order for kasambahay in Cebu has completed its one-year duration as of June 13, 2023, signaling the time for a mandatory review. The current regulations ensure that domestic workers in Cebu's chartered cities and first-class municipalities are paid a minimum wage of PHP5,500, while those in other areas receive PHP4,500.
The board has announced a public hearing scheduled for April 7 at Belmont One in Calajoan, Minglanilla, to gather insights and opinions from both kasambahay and their employers regarding the wage adjustment. This consultation is a crucial part of the RTWPB-7's process to periodically examine and, if deemed necessary, revise the minimum wage rates within the region to reflect the economic realities faced by workers and employers alike.