The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has introduced an extensive package of reforms to strengthen the rights and welfare of overseas Filipino domestic workers, highlighted by an increase in their minimum monthly wage from USD 400 to USD 500.

In a press briefing held at the DMW headquarters in Makati City, Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac explained that the wage adjustment, set to take effect 60 days from its issuance, followed six months of extensive consultations with various stakeholders. The new minimum wage will be embedded in employment contracts and administered through the DMW to guarantee fair compensation.

"To uphold the right to fair remuneration, the Department will raise the minimum monthly wage for Filipino domestic workers to at least USD 500," Cacdac stated. "This change acknowledges domestic work as a profession deserving of equitable pay. We will also engage host countries and private sector partners abroad to facilitate adoption and enforcement of this wage standard."

Cacdac clarified that this wage hike establishes a baseline and does not limit employers from offering higher pay, which may vary depending on the host country and workers' qualifications.

Beyond wage improvements, the DMW detailed additional measures designed to improve the health, safety, and career development of overseas household workers. Recognizing domestic workers as part of the vulnerable elementary occupations category, the reforms include an initial voluntary, later mandatory, annual medical examination funded through the DMW Aksyon Fund.

Another key initiative is the introduction of a mandatory "know your employer" video call before contract signing, allowing workers direct interaction with prospective employers to promote transparency and informed consent. This also benefits employers by enabling them to meet and verify potential hires.

The department is also piloting a digital welfare monitoring system called "Kamusta Kabayan" in Kuwait and Israel. Conducted by welfare case officers via emails or calls, this proactive outreach will assess overseas workers' conditions, facilitating timely referrals for legal, medical, psychosocial, financial, or reintegration support.

"Unlike conventional setups where we wait for calls, with 'Kamusta Kabayan' we initiate contact to check on our workers' well-being," Cacdac explained.

Moreover, the DMW plans to enforce higher housing standards for recruitment agencies, ensuring decent living conditions for workers awaiting deployment. The agency will also strengthen its whitelisting policy, established in 2024, permitting only agencies with strong compliance records and ethical practices to operate. Non-compliant agencies will face sanctions and removal.

"Recruitment agencies must demonstrate an unblemished track record and the capability to protect workers," Cacdac noted.

The reforms also involve differentiating job classifications between domestic workers and caregivers, with plans to introduce a separate minimum wage for caregivers given their distinct skills and higher responsibilities.

Most Filipino domestic workers are deployed to the "big four" labor markets: Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Kuwait. The DMW emphasized that its reforms encompass all working destinations and support retraining programs through TESDA, enabling workers to shift toward caregiving, hospitality, or other sectors.

These reforms mark a significant step forward in enhancing the dignity, safety, and economic well-being of Filipino migrant domestic workers worldwide.