SAN PEDRO CITY, Laguna (PIA) — The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) in Calabarzon commenced public hearings on the minimum wage adjustment for kasambahays (domestic workers) in San Pedro City, Laguna, on Tuesday, January 9.
According to lawyer Rio Ariel Soriano, secretary of RTWPB IV-A, the hearing aims to gather insights from workers, employers, and other stakeholders on the minimum wage for domestic workers, which was last adjusted two years ago.
Soriano stated that it is high time for the wage board to review the current wage order, emphasizing that the existing P4,000 to P5,000 minimum wage may no longer be responsive to the needs of domestic workers in the region.
He added that the active participation of domestic workers in public hearings and consultations is crucial for determining the wage increase.
"Bahagi ng demokrasya na hindi natin pwede galawin basta-basata ang wage kung walang partisipasyon ng ating publiko lalo na ang sektor ng ating mga kasambahay. Kung tahimik ang mga kasambahay natin, sumusunod yan na hindi gagalawin ang wage order, kasi walang clamor, walang panawagan, walang adjustment," Soriano emphasized.
He also stressed the urgent need to make the salary for domestic workers competitive with other regions to prevent them from migrating to other areas, especially to Metro Manila, which implemented a wage hike in November 2023.
"Ang goal natin is that 'wag na kayong lumabas sa Calabarzon dahil competitive din naman ang sweldo natin. Huwag natin silang hayaang mag-migrate dahil talo sila in so far as transport, logistics na kailangan nilang magbiyahe, mga unquantifiable expenses gaya ng pagod, hirap, layo sa pamilya, talo sila doon," Soriano said.
Soriano expressed hope that the series of public hearings set to roll out in different parts of the region in the coming weeks would be as fruitful as the formal sector's wage hike last year.
He said the proponents and stakeholders' contributions led to the approval and implementation of Wage Order No. 20, which set the formal sector's minimum wage at P385 to P520 — the highest wage increase among regions in the country.
"Isa ito sa magagandang accomplishments ng Region 4A noong nakaraang taon. At umpisahan natin for this year na ganoon ulit ang ating tatahaking direksyon na tayo ulit ang magsisilbing benchmark dito sa Pilipinas pagdating sa usapin ng batas kasambahay," Soriano said.
Meanwhile, Laguna Second District Representative Ruth Mariano Hernandez also supports the move, stating that the minimum wage salary adjustments would help domestic workers cope with the increasing cost of living.
"Mas maganda kung magkakaroon ng wage adjustments dahil yung cost of living natin ay medyo mataas na. Maganda ang pagbubukas ng taong ito na nagkakaroon tayo ng ganitong public consultation," said Hernandez.
"We want all of you na talagang maging bahagi sa paggawa ng mahalagang polisiya at hakbang ng pamahalaan sa usaping ito," she added.
United Domestic Workers of the Philippines (UDWP) appealed to the wage board to have an across-the-board salary for kasambahays regardless of the area.
"Gusto po sana namin na pangkalahatan na po dahil kung anong pangangailangan malapit sa NCR ganoon din ang pangangailan sa mga malapit na munciipalities, hindi po nagkakalayo," said Myla of UDWP Laguna Chapter.
The current minimum wage rate for domestic workers in Calabarzon is P5,000 for those in cities and first-class municipalities, while individuals employed in emerging-growth municipalities receive P4,000.
The RTWPB will hold another public hearing in Trece Martires City on Thursday, January 11.
