Philippines 2025 Update for Domestic Workers: Salary Increase, Minimum Wage Changes, and What It Means for Everyone

If you’re an employer hiring a Filipino domestic worker, or a domestic helper planning to work overseas, there’s an important update from the Philippine government you’ll want to know about.

In 2025, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) released a new advisory that introduces a salary increase, a minimum wage increase, and several changes aimed at making overseas domestic work fairer, clearer, and safer for everyone involved.

This isn’t about making things complicated. It’s about setting clearer expectations, protecting workers, and helping employers do things the right way.

Why This Update Is a Good Thing

Domestic work plays a big role in many households, and these updates are meant to support healthy, long-term working relationships.

In simple terms, the new rules aim to:

• Make sure domestic workers are paid fairly
• Reduce misunderstandings before deployment
• Improve health, welfare, and support overseas
• Encourage ethical and transparent hiring

When everyone understands the rules early, things tend to run more smoothly later on.

1. Minimum Wage Increase and Salary Adjustment

The biggest change is the minimum wage increase.

Under the new policy:

• The minimum monthly salary for a Filipino domestic worker is now at least USD 500
• This is an increase from the previous USD 400
• The updated salary must be reflected in contracts processed by the DMW
• If the destination country already requires a higher salary, that higher rate still applies

What this means in practice:

• For domestic helpers: a higher guaranteed base pay
• For employers: clearer salary expectations and easier contract compliance

This salary increase recognizes the value of domestic work and helps standardize pay across countries

2. Health Checks and Medical Responsibility

The advisory also looks at worker health.

Here’s what’s new:

• Annual medical check-ups will be introduced (starting on a voluntary basis)
• If a domestic worker gets sick or injured due to work, the employer is responsible for treatment and hospitalisation

This helps ensure workers receive proper care when they need it and gives employers clearer responsibility guidelines.

3. “Know Your Employer” Video Call Before Hiring

To avoid surprises on both sides, the DMW now requires a “Know Your Employer” (KYE) step before finalizing a contract.

This includes:

• A video call between the employer and the domestic helper
• A clear discussion of job duties, rest days, accommodation, and household setup
• The helper giving informed consent before deployment

This step helps:

• Domestic helpers understand what they’re signing up for
• Employers confirm expectations early

It’s a simple conversation that can prevent bigger issues later.

4. “Kumusta Kabayan?” Welfare Check-Ins

The Philippine government is also rolling out a digital welfare system called “Kumusta Kabayan?”

What it does:

• Allows regular check-ins with domestic workers overseas
• Helps spot welfare issues early
• Connects workers to legal, medical, or financial help if needed

For domestic helpers, it means staying connected.
For employers, it adds another layer of reassurance that support is available if something goes wrong.

5. Training and Career Growth Opportunities

The reforms also focuses on the future.

Domestic helpers will have access to training in areas like:

• Childcare and elderly care
• Household management
• Hospitality
• Digital skills
• Language training

The goal is to help domestic workers move into higher-skilled and better-paying roles over time, especially when caregiving responsibilities increase.

6. Better Standards for Recruitment Agencies

Recruitment agencies now face stricter rules, especially for pre-deployment housing.

Agencies must provide:

• Safe, clean, and inspected accommodation
• Proper sanitation, ventilation, and lighting
• Basic necessities like beds, food, lockers, and internet

Agencies that don’t meet these standards risk penalties or losing their license.

7. Stronger Protection of Worker Rights

The advisory clearly reminds everyone that:

• Passports belong to the Philippine government
• Employers and agencies are not allowed to hold a worker’s passport
• Violations can lead to suspension or cancellation

The AKSYON Fund continues to support domestic workers who need legal, medical, or emergency help abroad.

When Do These Changes Apply?

• The key updates apply to new hires, returning domestic workers, and renewed contracts
• Implementation starts 60 days after the advisory was issued
• More detailed guidelines will follow

It’s a good idea for both employers and applicants to stay updated and ask questions early.

What This Means for You

If You’re a Domestic Helper or Applicant

• You benefit from a minimum wage increase
• You get clearer job details before leaving
• You have better access to health and welfare support

If You’re an Employer

• Salary expectations are clearer
• Hiring is more transparent
• Ethical compliance is easier to follow

A Friendly Note from HelperChoice

At HelperChoice, we see these changes as a positive step. Fair pay, clear communication, and ethical recruitment make life better for both employers and domestic helpers.

If everyone understands the rules and approaches them with good faith, compliance becomes less about paperwork and more about building respectful, long-term working relationships.