DMW raises minimum wage for Filipino domestic workers to $500

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) announced a major reform package on Friday to strengthen the protection of overseas Filipino domestic workers, highlighted by a wage hike from $400 to $500 a month.

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the new pay floor, which takes effect 60 days from issuance, was finalized after six months of consultations and will be integrated into employment contracts processed by the DMW.

“This reflects the recognition of domestic work as work of equal value deserving of fair compensation,” Cacdac said. He added that the amount is a minimum wage, not a ceiling, and may be higher depending on host countries and workers’ skills.

The reforms go beyond wages. Cacdac outlined seven additional measures to boost the welfare and safety of household workers, who belong to the most vulnerable OFW category. 

These include annual medical check-ups, which will be initially voluntary and later mandatory, to be funded through the DMW Aksyon Fund. A mandatory “know your employer” video call will also be required before contract signing, ensuring transparency for both workers and employers.

The department will likewise launch the “Kamusta Kabayan” monitoring system, where welfare officers will proactively contact OFWs in pilot countries Kuwait and Israel to check their condition and extend assistance if needed. 

It will also impose stricter housing standards for recruitment agencies to ensure decent accommodation for workers awaiting deployment. In addition, the DMW will enhance its whitelisting policy, allowing only compliant recruitment agencies with clean records to deploy workers abroad.

Cacdac said the DMW also plans to separate job classifications for domestic workers and caregivers to prevent the former from being forced into caregiving roles without proper pay. A new minimum wage for caregivers is also being prepared.

Most Filipino household workers are deployed to Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait, but Cacdac stressed that the reforms will apply to all host countries. He also encouraged upskilling programs through TESDA for those seeking to transition to caregiving, hospitality, or other industries.

“These reforms aim to give our workers not only fair wages but also dignity, protection, and career growth,” Cacdac said.