REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7655 - AN ACT INCREASING THE MINIMUM WAGE OF HOUSEHELPERS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE ARTICLE 143 OF PRESIDENTIAL DEGREE NO. 442, AS AMENDED

Section 1.    Subparagraphs (1), (2) and (3), Article 143 of Presidential Decree No. 442, as amended, otherwise known as the "Labor Code of the Philippines" are hereby amended to read as follows:  

"ART. 143.    Minimum wage. — (a) Househelpers shall be paid the following minimum wage rates;

(1)    Eight hundred pesos (P800.00) a month for househelpers in Manila, Quezon, Pasay and Caloocan cities and municipalities of Makati, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Malabon, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Pasig, Marikina, Valenzuela, Taguig and Pateros in Metro Manila and in highly urbanized cities; 

(2)    Six hundred fifty pesos (P650.00) a month for those in other chartered cities and first class municipalities; and

(3)    Five hundred fifty pesos (P550.00) a month for those in other municipalities;

Provided, that the employees shall review the employment contracts of their househelpers every three (3) years with the end in view of improving the terms and conditions thereof.

Provided, further, that those househelpers who are receiving at least One thousand pesos (P1,000.00) shall be covered by the Social Security System (SSS) and be entitled to all the benefits provided thereunder." 

Sec. 2.    Any violation of any provision of this Act shall be punished with an imprisonment of not more than three (3) months or a fine of not more than Two thousand pesos (P2,000.00) or both, at the discretion of the court.

Sec. 3.    Any law, executive order, letter of instruction, or any part thereof, which is inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

Sec. 4.    This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation, whichever comes earlier.

Approved: August 19, 1993