foreign recruitment agency owners reject Pay Rise proposal for Filipino domestic Workers
By: Rowen Soldevilla | News Bureau Chief
Muscat, Oman — A consultative meeting held on October 27, 2025, between Foreign Recruitment Agency (FRA) owners, Welfare and Employment Development Officers (WEDO), and the newly appointed Labor Attaché to Oman, Ms. Alice Visperas, ended in disagreement over the proposed salary adjustment for Filipino household service workers.
During the meeting, FRA owners and WEDO representatives expressed strong opposition to the plan to raise the minimum monthly salary of Filipino domestic workers from USD 400 to USD 500, citing concerns that the increase could drive up recruitment costs and reduce competitiveness in the international labor market.
The proposal stems from DMW Advisory No. 25, Series of 2025, signed by Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, which introduces enhanced reform programs aimed at promoting the rights, dignity, and welfare of Filipino domestic workers abroad.
Recruitment agency owners, however, argued that the higher wage could discourage foreign employers from hiring Filipinos, potentially resulting in fewer overseas job opportunities. They noted that domestic workers from countries such as Nepal, India, Myanmar, and Indonesia typically earn between USD 300 and USD 350 per month—making Filipino workers comparatively more expensive to hire.
FRA owners instead proposed a tiered wage system that would base compensation on skills, experience, and tenure, as follows:
Entry-Level Household Workers (0–2 years’ experience): USD 400/month
Mid-Level Household Workers (2–6 years’ experience): USD 450/month
Senior-Level Household Workers (6+ years’ experience): USD 500+
Highly Skilled/Specialized Workers (TESDA-certified or equivalent in caregiving, driving, cooking, household management, nanny/child care, animal care, house nursing, tutoring, or language proficiency): USD 500+
Annual Increment: 3% salary increase per year for continuous service with the same employer, rewarding loyalty and reducing turnover.
Despite the differing opinions, the meeting concluded with an agreement to revisit the proposal and hold additional consultations with relevant stakeholders in the coming weeks. The Department of Migrant Workers in Oman reaffirmed that all forthcoming decisions will prioritize the protection and welfare of Filipino workers abroad.