TACLOBAN CITY — The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) in Eastern Visayas is considering a P2,000 increase in the minimum wage for kasambahays the region.

Department of Labor and Employment-8 Regional Director and RTWPB Chairman Yahya Centi said the proposed wage hike has already been submitted to the National Wages and Productivity Commission for its approval.

Upon the approval of the commission, the new wage order will take effect 15 days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the region.

The RTWPB Region 8 called for a public consultation on Monday, 25 November, to set the minimum wage issue for kasambahays and domestic workers. Immediately after the consultation, the board convened to finalize and approve the P2,000 wage increase.

Centi said the board made an immediate approval of the wage hike so that the kasambahay can immediately get the relief that it needs. This, however, does not prevent workers from bargaining for higher wages from their employers.

He clarified that the minimum wage should not affect other mandatory and voluntary benefits that an employer gives to their Kasambahay. “We are only increasing the minimum wage,” he said.

Current minimum wage rates for domestic workers in Eastern Visayas are P2,500 in chartered cities and firstclass municipalities and P2,000 in other municipalities.

Centi said the decision to peg the P2,000 increase in minimum wage is also based on economic indicators of the region. The law mandates RTWPB to determine and fix the minimum wage rates applicable in the region.