The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has announced the start of the phased implementation of a new minimum monthly salary of US$500 for Filipino domestic workers abroad, marking the first official pay adjustment since 2006.
Outlined under Memorandum Circular No. 03, Series of 2025, the policy forms part of the government’s Enhanced Reform Program, which seeks to protect household service workers and restore the real value of their wages.
A six-month transition period will allow foreign employers of both new and returning workers to voluntarily adopt the increase before a compliance audit is conducted. Depending on the results, the DMW may move toward full enforcement of the rule.
To promote fair labor practices, the DMW has introduced several incentives for employers and partner Philippine recruitment agencies (PRAs) that comply early. These include priority processing—dubbed Greenlane—for accreditation and job order approvals within 5–7 working days for new applications and just one day for re-accreditation. Compliant employers will also gain access to a curated database of skilled workers and receive one-on-one consultations with DMW officials on recruitment and labor standards.
Private recruitment agencies deploying at least 10 workers earning the new minimum salary will benefit from faster license renewals, branch approvals, and a dedicated digital portal for managing staff records.
Overseas workers are urged to register through the E-Registration, Kumusta Kabayan, and e-GovPH platforms for monitoring, assistance, and access to government services. Returning OFWs are also encouraged to update their OWWA memberships and social service enrollments.
“This is a landmark reform that honors the skills, sacrifices, and dignity of our domestic workers,” said DMW Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac, commending employers and agencies that uphold ethical and transparent recruitment practices.
