DOLE: Hiring of housemaids remains practical

MANILA, Philippines - Hiring of housemaids remains affordable even for the middle-class despite the implementation of the Kasambahay Law in May.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the minimum pay for workers as provided under the new law is very reasonable.

“Based from our computation, the daily cost of employing a household service worker is only P85, and the amount includes the health care premium so it is very minimal,” she said.

Baldoz said the implementation of the Kasambahay Law will not trigger mass displacement of domestic helpers.

Under the new law, domestic helpers in Metro Manila will get a minimum salary of P2,500 monthly.

Those employed in major cities and municipalities outside the metropolis will be getting a monthly salary of not lower than P2,000 while the minimum pay in other areas is pegged at P1,500.

Domestic helpers are also entitled to receive 13th month pay, Social Security System (SSS), PhilHealth and Pag-Ibig benefits.

Baldoz said employers may not extend SSS and Pag-Ibig membership to their housemaids as long as they are paying them not less than P5,000 a month.