Ringgit devaluation to benefit Pinoy household workers in Malaysia –PHL envoy

Filipino household workers in Malaysia stand to benefit in the depreciation of the Malaysian ringgit as it would mean higher take-home pay, the Philippine embassy there said Thursday.

In a statement, Philippine Ambassador Eduardo Malaya said the US$400 legally-mandated minimum monthly salary of Filipino household workers in Malaysia should serve as a cushion in light of the ringgit's depreciation.

He said using an exchange rate of RM3.5 to a dollar, the Filipino domestic helpers should receive RM1400 every month, or RM200 more than the standard minimum wage four months ago.

“As their salaries are reflected in US dollars and in light of the depreciating ringgit, they (household workers) should in fact be getting higher salaries,” Malaya said.

He added that the minimum monthly salary “is a contractual obligation that should be observed by employers and employment agencies.”

“This differential is, of course, not much in relation to the overall valuable service that is rendered by a Filipino HSW. All these should be taken into account,” Malaya also said.

Employers were also reminded to provide their employers adequate health insurance especially after government hospitals and clinics increased charges against foreign nationals since January.

Provision for health insurance is also stipulated in the employment contracts.

Malaya said the Philippine Overseas Labor Office continually reviews the conduct of its accredited Malaysian employment agencies, and has implemented sanctions against those that violated the terms of their accreditation. —Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News

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