The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) secretary, Rosalinda Baldoz announced that Filipino household service workers (HSWs) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) would soon receive higher pay as their minimum wage would soon be set to USD400.

This development is just one of the many provisions set in the joint statement of commitment recently signed between a group of Philippine licensed recruitment agencies (LRAs) and their counterpart foreign placement agencies (FPAs) that represent the employers in Dubai. The signed statement of commitment contains the Household Reform Package for HSWs set by the Labor Department.

Baldoz cited a report from the labor-attache designate to Dubai, Atty. Delmer Cruz when she said that the joint statement indicates positive developments in the Middle East region with regards to the continued deployment of Filipino HSWs. Baldoz is referring to the Standard Employment Contract for HSWs that was recently signed between the governments of the Philippines and Saudi Arabia.

Baldoz said, "I am happy to note that the new SEC for HSWs to be deployed to Saudi Arabia has motivated other Middle East countries to follow suit and also formulate their own modes of giving our HSWs the kind of protection they truly deserve."

Aside from the increase in minimum wage, the reform package would also prohibit the charging of excessive fees. Another provision deals with the problem in repatriation.

The labor attaché designate said in his report, "I am happy to report to the Secretary that the Philippine LRAs and the Dubai FPas have agreed to solve the problem once and for all. Together, they will facilitate the repatriation of distressed workers they deploy and cooperate fully with proper authorities in doing so."