-
The Enhanced Reform Program for Filipino domestic workers targets domestic workers in vulnerable skill categories, increasing the minimum monthly wage from $400 to $500, the first revision since 2006, to help them and their families cover essential living, education, and household expenses.
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has launched its Enhanced Reform Program for Filipino domestic workers under Labor Advisory No. 25, Series of 2025, applicable to all host countries. The initiative represents the most comprehensive set of reforms for household service workers since 2006, reinforcing the government’s commitment to decent work, ethical recruitment, and strengthened welfare systems for overseas Filipino workers.
The program specifically addresses the needs of domestic workers in vulnerable skill categories, raising the minimum monthly wage from $400 to at least $500. This adjustment, long overdue since the last wage revision in 2006, aims to help workers and their families cover essential living, education, and household costs.
The wage increase applies to all countries employing Filipino domestic workers and will initially be implemented through incentivization. The DMW will provide “green lanes” or faster processing for recruitment agencies and employers who comply, with specific guidelines to be issued in consultation with stakeholders.
Additional reforms require employers and recruiters to follow “Know Your Employer” protocols via video interviews, establish a digital welfare monitoring system, and provide annual medical check-ups on a voluntary basis. Stricter recruitment standards include a whitelisting policy, expanded support services, protection against passport confiscation, and guaranteed rest periods and leave.
Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac and senior DMW officials are visiting host countries to strengthen bilateral labor cooperation and discuss measures to further protect domestic workers, most of whom are women in vulnerable employment conditions. Specific implementation guidelines will be released within 60 days.
Follow The Times Kuwait on X, Instagram and Facebook for the latest news updates
