HOUSEHOLD service workers (HSW) in Mimaropa region will be getting an additional P1,000 on their next pay day.
The new wage order for HSWs issued by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB-Mimaropa) finally took effect on Wednesday.
It raised the minimum-wage rates for HSWs in the region from P2,500 to P3,500.
RTWPB-Mimaropa made the decision after conducting public consultations on May 23 and a hearing on June 13.
“The board deemed it necessary to provide domestic workers with immediate relief measure to enable them to cope with the rising cost of living,” the order said.
“This wage order does not allow exemption,” it added. The last minimum-wage hike for HSWs in Mimaropa was in July 2017.
The new wage order will apply to HSWs in the Provinces of Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan, otherwise known as Mimaropa, including the City of Calapan and the Highly Urbanized City of Puerto Princesa.
Aside from Mimaropa, other regions which adjusted the minimum-wage rates of HSWs this year are Calabarzon, Ilocos region, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and Western Visayas.
Data from the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) show that the Ilocos region currently has the highest minimum-wage rate for HSWs with P3,500 to P4,500.
Those with the lowest rate of P2,000 to P2,500 are in Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula and Soccsksargen.