The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) posted on its official website that that the minimum wage of Filipino domestic helpers in Cyrus would increase by USD36 or Php1,666.

According to the DOLE, they were informed by Josephine Tobia, the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) Officer-in-Charge in Cyprus about the wage increase that is set to benefit over 1,200 Filipinos working there.

The report from Tobia said, "Because of the minimum wage increase, it is expected that the subsequent employment contracts of HSWs bound for Cyprus will reflect the net income of not less than €311 or US$445 (P19,192) at the prevailing exchange rate of €0.70 per 1 US dollar, after deductions have been made for the workers' medical and board and lodging expenses."

The POLO Officer-in-Charge also said that the salary increase will be retroactively effective January 1 this year. Because of the increase, the gross minimum wage of household workers in Cyprus will go up from €429 (Php26,474) to €456 (P28,140) a month.

Tobia also said that the increase would cover both new and existing employment contracts. It includes a five-percent increase in the gross amount and the cost of living allowance.

The DOLE informed that even though Cyprus is part of the the European Union (EU), it has no minimum wage laws. The country relies on employer groups and trade unions to set minimum earnings through collective bargaining.