The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) says thousands of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Taiwan and Hongkong stand to benefit from new wage orders starting this fourth quarter 2023 to January 2024.
The Ministry of Labor reports 151, 562 Filipinos are working in Taiwan as of October 2023. Of these 123,768 who work in the manufacturing sector stand to benefit from the new wage order once it takes effect on January 1st. The DMW projects another 17,721 workers in this category to be hired by the end of the year.
OFWs working as foreign domestic helpers (FDH) or household service workers (HSWs) in Hongkong will benefit from similar wage legislation set by Hongkong’s Labor Department. OFWs working as FDHs will receive a minimum allowable wage (MAW) of HK$4,870 or P38,010.35. This is a HK$140 increase from the previous rate of HK$4,730 or P36,917.65.
The Hongkong wage order also mandates an adjustment in the allowable food allowance for FDHs raising it to HK$1,236 or P9,649.98 from the previous rate of HK$1,196 or P9,334.78.
The information provided highlights the significant impact of new wage orders on overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Taiwan and Hongkong.
Here’s a summary of the key points:
Taiwan:
- The Taiwan Ministry of Labor has enacted a new wage order, resulting in a 4.05% increase in the monthly minimum salary and an increase in the minimum hourly wage.
- As of October 2023, there are 151,562 Filipinos working in Taiwan, with 123,768 in the manufacturing sector.
- These OFWs, particularly those in the manufacturing sector, stand to benefit from the new wage order, which takes effect on January 1st.
- The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) projects an increase in the number of OFWs in Taiwan by the end of the year.
Hongkong:
- OFWs working as foreign domestic helpers (FDH) in Hongkong will benefit from new wage legislation set by Hongkong’s Labor Department.
- The minimum allowable wage for FDHs has been increased, along with an adjustment in the allowable food allowance.
- These wage increases apply to FDH contracts signed on or after September 30, 2023.
- As of August 2023, there are 196,364 OFWs working as household service workers (HSWs) or FDHs in Hongkong.
- An estimated 40,000 HSWs, including new hires and those with renewed contracts, will directly benefit from the new wage legislation.
- By January 2024, the number of Filipino HSWs working in Hongkong is projected to increase to around 205,000.
Overall, these new wage orders signify recognition of the contributions made by OFWs to the economies of Taiwan and Hongkong and aim to provide them with improved compensation and benefits.