MANILA --  The Department of Labor and Employment reminded employers in the National Capital Region to comply with the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board’s wage order increasing the minimum wage of domestic workers by P500.

The new wage order, which brings the minimum wage order of kasambahays in Metro Manila to P7,000, is set to take effect on Saturday, January 4.

Labor Undersecretary Benjo Benavidez said employers who fail to comply with the mandated increase may face charges.

“Yung ating mga kasambahay pwede nilang kasuhan ang kanilang mga amo ng non-payment ng minimum wage rate. Usually ang complaint nila ay underpayment of wages,” he said.

“Pwede silang pumunta sa aming mga tanggapan, pero ito ay may kaakibat pa ng ibang liabilidad dahil ang mga kasambahay po ay entitled din sa ibang benepisyo katulad ng SSS, Philhealth at PAGIBIG. Kung underpaid sila, siguradong hindi rin tama ang premium remittance nila sa SSS, Philhealth at PAGIBIG. At yung iba pa nilang benepisyo tulad ng service incentive leave at 13th month pay. Kapag ang isang manggagawa ay underpaid, ibig sabihin ay underpaid din sila sa ibang benepisyo,” he said.

Aside from the NCR, regional wage boards of Regions 1, 2, Mimaropa, CAR, 6, 8, 10 and 13 have earlier increased the minimum wage rates of kasambahays, bringing their monthly rates from P5,000 to P6,000.

“At yung iba pang boards sa iba pang rehiyon ay patuloy ding nirereview ang umiiral na wage rate nang sa gayon ay matignan kung nararapat na ba ang pagtaas at magkano ang itataas na wage rates sa mga kasambahay,” he said.