DOLE to assist underpaid household helpers

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has encouraged household helpers or kasambahay to file complaints against employers that will not comply with the latest wage order on salary increase.

DOLE Undersecretary Benjo Benavidez said a kasambahay could file a complaint for non-payment of the minimum wage rate.

“Usually, the complaint is the underpayment of wages. They can go to the DOLE to ask for assistance… If the kasambahay is underpaid, for sure the premium remittance in SSS and Pag-Ibig is incorrect,” Benavidez said, referring to the Social Security System and Pag-Ibig Fund.

Earlier, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board in the National Capital Region approved a P500 increase in the minimum wage for domestic workers, raising their monthly pay to P7,000.