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29 March 2024

$400 a month minimum pay set for Filipina maids

Published
By Staff

Philippines labour authorities have urged agents and employers of Filipina housemaids to stick with the minimum wage of $400 (Dh1,472) a month set by the government.

The minimum wage mutually agreed between the UAE and Philippines government in 2007 is often flouted despite efforts from all ends, Khaleej Times quoted a Philippines embassy official as saying.

The official said during meetings held in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain with recruitment agents that the contracts must be honoured to the letter and any deviation would lead to a stern action from the authorities.

He observed that agents and employers resort to various tactics to deny the maids their rightful wage despite their contracts clearly mentioning their salaries as $400 (Dh1,472) a month, which results in social problems like frustrated maids absconding.

“Some workers are (also) in collusion with the agency as they agree to receive below $400,” said Attorney Nasser Munder, the country’s labour attaché in Abu Dhabi. In meetings held last week in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, Munder told recruitment agency representatives to adhere to the minimum wage requirement “effective immediately”.
“You have to tell your clients that you have no option but to follow the Philippine law,” he stressed.

He warned that the labour office will suspend the processing of the employment contract of any agency which will not inform sponsors about the requirement. Housemaids often work between 14-16 hours a day, without a day off.