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| More than 90% of all Filipinos in HK are domestic workers |
The Department of
Migrant Workers issued an advisory Friday providing for enhanced protection and
better opportunities for Filipino domestic workers abroad, which includes
raising their monthly minimum wage to USD500 and providing them with annual
medical check-ups.
DMW said the domestic workers reform package is anchored to international labor standards on fair and ethical recruitment.
“There are eight components for these domestic workers reforms, which reinforce our commitment to decent work, ethical recruitment, and strengthened welfare mechanisms for Filipino domestic workers deployed abroad,” Migrant Workers Secretary Hans J. Cacdac said
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At the top of the list is the increase in the minimum monthly wage of domestic workers from USD400 to USD500, “in recognition of domestic work as work of equal value deserving of fair compensation." This does not apply to a few host places like Hong Kong, where the minimum wage already equates to about USD643, or roughly Php36,000.
The provision for free annual medical check-up also comes with free hospitalization and treatment, which initially will be implemented on a voluntary basis. The advisory does not, however, spell out how this could be implemented.
The third is the “Know Your Employer” protocol which mandates video conferencing between the domestic worker and employer before their contract is finalized. This aims to ensure transparency and informed consent in the hiring process.
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Fourth is the “Kumusta Kabayan?” digital welfare monitoring system for direct welfare check on the conditions of OFWs;
Fifth assures the continuous enhancement of workers employability and opportunities through reskilling, upskilling and career mobility program
Sixth mandates stricter standards for recruitment agencies’ accommodation facilities. This follows well-documented stories on the dire conditions in many agency shelters where domestic workers are made to stay prior to deployment, or when they are sacked after taking up work abroad.
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The seventh will institutionalize the whitelisting of recruitment agencies that do not comply with the ethical process in deploying workers
The final change will assure continuous rights protection for domestic workers by providing them with legal and other forms of assistance under the DMW Aksyon Fund.
Secretary Cacdac directed that all employment contracts processed by the DMW should reflect the new wage requirement, while Migrant Workers Offices abroad are encouraged to engage host governments and foreign recruitment agencies on implementing the new wage floor.
He also said that after the DMW advisory was signed today, there will be a 60-day transition period before the first four reforms are fully implemented.
“The advisory shall apply to all recruitment agencies and employers here or abroad with newly hired domestic workers under employment contracts entered into, or with vacationing or returning domestic workers under contracts renewed,” Cacdac said.
DMW said the enhanced protection for Filipino domestic workers abroad was issued after thorough consultation with stakeholders.
The signing coincided with the second death anniversary of former Secretary Susan “Toots” V. Ople who was a staunch advocate of the protection and welfare of Filipino domestic workers.
