By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The P500 wage hike for household helpers in the Western Visayas went into effect yesterday morning.

Department of Labor and Employment-Negros Occidental (DOLE-Negros Occidental) head Mary Agnes Capigon said, although they have yet to receive a copy of the new wage order, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-Region VI (RTWP-6) made contact and informed them of the order’s effectivity.

RTWPB earlier approved Wage Order No. 3, raising the monthly salary of household helpers in the region from P3,500 to P4,00 a month.

Capigon stated they want voluntary compliance from employers, adding, DOLE-Negros Occidental is open for complaints should employers fail to follow the newly-approved order./DGB, WDJ