DMW raises OFW domestic worker min wage to USD500

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) announced a new minimum monthly wage increase from USD400 to USD500 for overseas Filipino domestic workers, effective 60 days after issuance.

This reform follows six months of consultations with stakeholders and aims to ensure fair compensation for domestic work.

Additional reforms include annual medical check-ups, mandatory video calls before contract signing, a digital monitoring system called 'Kamusta Kabayan', stricter housing standards for recruitment agencies, and enhanced whitelisting policies.

The DMW also plans to separate job categories between domestic workers and caregivers, with future plans to establish a different minimum wage for the latter.

Most Filipino domestic workers are deployed to Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait, and reforms will support reskilling programs through TESDA.