Department of Migrant Workers Implements Policy Reforms for Filipino Domestic Workers Abroad

Strategic Insights -

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is set to implement wide-scale policy reforms aimed at enhancing the welfare of Filipino domestic workers abroad. The reforms include raising the monthly minimum wage for domestic workers to $500, a significant increase from the current $400 set in 2007. The DMW has conducted six months of stakeholder consultations and has received recommendations from lawmakers and President Ferdinand Marcos on improving its services for Household Service Workers (HSWs).

The new wage floor reflects the recognition of domestic work as work of equal value deserving of fair compensation. The DMW chief, Hans J. Cacdac, emphasized that HSWs can still receive more than $500 from their respective employers. The Coalition of Licensed Recruitment Agencies for Domestic and Service Workers (CLADs) estimates that the increase will benefit around 2 million HSWs worldwide.

Key Takeaways:

  • The DMW will raise the monthly minimum wage for domestic workers to $500 to reflect the recognition of domestic work as work of equal value deserving of fair compensation.
  • The increase is expected to benefit around 2 million Household Service Workers (HSWs) worldwide.
  • The DMW will implement a know-your-employer scheme, requiring recruitment agencies to strictly implement a mandatory video conferencing between the prospective domestic worker and employer before contract finalization.
  • The DMW will launch the Kamusta Kabayan Digital Welfare Monitoring System, a monitoring app that allows HSWs to report their whereabouts and status abroad in real-time.
  • The app has already gone through vulnerability testing and has been piloted in Kuwait and Israel, with 20,000 participants.
  • The DMW hopes the new advisory will encourage Filipino HSWs who worked abroad through irregular channels to become documented in their host country.
  • The DMW will augment its existing initiatives to empower HSWs, including upskilling and career mobility, implementation of stricter standards for recruitment agency accommodation facilities, and a rights-based approach for hiring.
  • The new policies will take effect after a 60-day transition period.

Statistics:

  • The new monthly minimum wage for domestic workers will be $500, a $100 increase from the current $400.
  • The increase is expected to benefit around 2 million Household Service Workers (HSWs) worldwide.
  • The DMW has conducted six months of stakeholder consultations and has received recommendations from lawmakers and President Ferdinand Marcos on improving its services for HSWs.
  • The DMW will launch the Kamusta Kabayan Digital Welfare Monitoring System, a monitoring app that will allow HSWs to report their whereabouts and status abroad in real-time.
  • The app has already gone through vulnerability testing and has been piloted in Kuwait and Israel, with 20,000 participants.
  • The new policies will take effect after a 60-day transition period.

Sources:

  • Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) press briefing in Makati on Friday, August 22, 2025.
  • Coalition of Licensed Recruitment Agencies for Domestic and Service Workers (CLADs).
  • Hans J. Cacdac, DMW Secretary.