Great news! In a significant move for labor rights and welfare, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) announced on Wednesday that the recent minimum wage increases in Taiwan and Hong Kong will positively impact thousands of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). This news offers a financial boost for OFWs who contribute significantly to both their host countries and the Philippines through remittances and cultural exchange.
Taiwan’s Wage Increase: A Closer Look
Taiwan’s Ministry of Labor (MOL) has enacted a 4.05% rise in the monthly minimum salary for workers, which will see wages jump from NT$26,400 (approximately P46,378.70) to NT$27,470 (around P48,223.43), starting January 1, 2024.
Additionally, the minimum hourly wage is set to increase by NT$7, moving from NT$168 (about P295.14) to NT$183 (approximately P321.48).
This change is poised to benefit the 123,768 Filipino workers in Taiwan’s manufacturing sector, out of the total 151,562 OFWs, as reported by the DMW citing MOL data, as shared in a report by GMA News Online.
Hong Kong’s Legislation for Domestic Helpers
Similarly, in Hong Kong, new wage legislation will benefit Filipino domestic helpers (FDHs) and household service workers (HSWs). The minimum allowable wage (MAW) for FDHs will see an increase of HK$140, raising the wage to HK$4,870 (P38,010.35) from the previous HK$4,730 (P36,917.65).
Moreover, the food allowance for these workers will also see a boost to HK$1,236 (P9,649.98) from the earlier HK$1,196 (P9,334.78).
These changes will affect contracts signed on or after September 30, 2023, and are estimated to benefit around 40,000 new hires and those with renewed contracts, out of the 196,364 OFWs in Hong Kong.
An Ongoing Commitment
DMW Officer-in-Charge Hans Leo Cacdac expressed gratitude towards both Taiwan and Hong Kong for recognizing the valuable contributions of OFWs through these legislative changes.
He noted, “We thank Taiwan’s Ministry of Labor and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Labor Department respectively for enacting wage legislation that recognizes the work of our OFWs and their contribution to the economic development of their host countries.”
Looking Ahead
As the DMW continues to project an increase in the number of OFWs benefiting from these wage hikes, the focus remains on ensuring that the rights and welfare of Filipino workers abroad are upheld and that their contributions are recognized.
These wage increases not only represent a financial uplift for the workers and their families but also highlight the importance of OFWs in the global labor market.
As 2024 approaches, these changes are expected to bring a positive impact, fostering a more supportive and equitable working environment for Filipinos overseas.
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