Wage Hike for Household Help in Metro Manila: What It Means for Families
Here’s what parents need to know about the minimum wage for household helpers (kasambahays)
Metro Manila households are set to feel the effects of a policy shift that directly affects the daily lives of working parents: the monthly minimum wage for household helpers—locally known as kasambahays—is set to increase by ₱800, from ₱7,000 to ₱7,800 per month, starting February 7, 2026, under Wage Order No. NCR-DW-06 was issued by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB).
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) confirmed that the increase applies to all domestic workers in Metro Manila—whether live-in or live-out—who are regularly employed to clean, cook, care for children, garden, or do laundry in private households.
For many Filipino parents juggling work, family, and the pressure of keeping a home running smoothly, this news brings both relief and concern. While the wage hike is a recognition of the essential contribution that household workers make to family life, it also comes at a time when many families are already managing tight budgets and rising living expenses.
Why the Wage Increase Matters
In Metro Manila, where costs for food, transportation, childcare, and basic services continue to climb, having reliable household help can mean the difference between barely keeping up and simply losing sleep. For working parents—especially those who balance demanding jobs with homeschooling, office hours, and family time—the help of a kasambahay becomes a necessity for everyone just to survive the day without a crashout.
The story of the many kasambahay who work in Metro Manila isn’t uncommon. Many kasambahays themselves are parents who left their provinces to work in the capital region because local wages back home are far lower. Regions outside Metro Manila offer domestic workers significantly less than the capital region’s rates—a reality that often pushes mothers, fathers, and caregivers to migrate in search of better opportunities.
For these families, the wage hike isn’t just about slightly higher pay—it’s about dignity, security, and being able to support their own children’s education, food, utilities, and savings with a bit more breathing room.
What Parents Should Know
Under the new wage order, all household heads and employers in Metro Manila are required to comply with the adjusted rate, whether the domestic worker was hired directly or through a licensed agency. If an employer fails to pay the prescribed minimum, both the employer and the agency can be held accountable.
This change follows earlier minimum wage adjustments in the region that raised pay for other types of workers, and is part of broader nationwide moves that saw minimum wage hikes across 14 regions, benefiting millions of workers in 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
The minimum monthly wage for domestic workers in Metro Manila will increase from ₱7,000 to ₱7,800 per month starting February 7, 2026.
The wage increase applies to all regular household helpers, including general househelp, nannies, cooks, gardeners, and laundry workers, whether live-in or live-out.
The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board determined the hike after reviewing socioeconomic conditions, the needs of domestic workers and their families, and employers’ capacity to pay.
Yes. Employers must update employment contracts to reflect the new minimum wage, and agencies may be held jointly accountable for compliance.
Minimum pay in other regions is generally lower, with wage rates for kasambahays varying based on local wage orders, reflecting differences in cost of living across the Philippines.
More about kasambahays?
5 Common Kasambahay Issues and How to Handle It
Kasambahay Law: What are the Rights of Your Household Help
Household Management: 10 Tips in Choosing and Dealing with Household Help
