Manila: Domestic workers, known as kasambahay, in Metro Manila will soon see a rise in their wages as the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board-National Capital Region has approved Wage Order No. NCR-DW-06. This order grants an additional PHP800 to their monthly pay.

According to Philippines News Agency, the National Wages and Productivity Commission announced on Thursday that this adjustment will increase the monthly salary of kasambahay from PHP7,000 to PHP7,800. The new wage will take effect on February 7 or 15 days after the order's publication. The wage adjustment will apply to general househelp, including both stay-in and live-out workers such as yaya, cook, gardener, laundry person, and any individual regularly performing domestic work in a household on an occupational basis.

However, the pay increase does not extend to service providers, family drivers, and individuals whose work is occasional or sporadic and not on a regular occupational basis. The decision to approve the wage increase followed a series of wage determination activities conducted this year, including a survey of kasambahay in the National Capital Region and a focus group discussion with domestic workers. These activities concluded with a public hearing held in Pasay City on January 12.