(As of December 2025)

Governing Law

The wages and benefits of kasambahay (household helpers, cooks, nannies, drivers, gardeners, etc. who work within the employer’s residence) in the Philippines are primarily governed by:

Republic Act No. 10361 – “Domestic Workers Act” or “Batas Kasambahay” (enacted 2013)
Department Order No. 232, Series of 2023 – Latest wage order issued by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) – Region XI (Davao Region) specifically for kasambahay.

Current Minimum Monthly Wage in Davao City (Region XI)

Under RTWPB-XI Wage Order No. RB XI-DW-04 (effective 01 September 2023 and still in force as of December 2025):

Area/Location	Minimum Monthly Wage
Cities of Davao, Tagum, Island Garden City of Samal, Panabo, Mati, Digos and all chartered cities in Region XI	₱6,000.00
Municipalities (1st to 6th class) in the provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Davao Occidental	₱5,500.00

Davao City falls under the ₱6,000.00 per month category.

Scope of “Kasambahay” Covered

Househelpers, yayas (nannies), cooks, gardeners, laundry persons
Family drivers who reside in the employer’s household
Children under foster care are excluded
Persons rendering service occasionally or sporadically (not on an occupational basis) are not covered

Mandatory Benefits (in addition to the monthly wage)

13th-Month Pay – At least 1/12 of total basic salary earned in a calendar year, payable not later than December 24.
Service Incentive Leave (SIL) – 5 days with pay per year (after 12 months of service).
Social Security System (SSS) – Mandatory contribution (employer pays majority share).
PhilHealth – Mandatory contribution.
Pag-IBIG Fund – Mandatory contribution (employer and kasambahay share).
Daily Rest Period – At least 8 consecutive hours per day.
Weekly Rest Period – At least 24 consecutive hours every 6 consecutive working days.
Overtime Pay, Holiday Pay, Premium Pay – Applicable if the kasambahay works beyond normal hours or on holidays.
Safe and Healthful Working Conditions – No hazardous work for minors (15–under 18).

Prohibited Acts (Penalties: 1–12 years imprisonment + fines)

Withholding of wages
Interference with disposal of wages
Requiring deposits for loss/damage
Placing kasambahay in debt bondage

Registration Requirements for Employers

Within 30 days from hiring, the employer must:

Register the kasambahay with the nearest Barangay Hall (Barangay Kasambahay Registration).
Enroll the kasambahay in SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG (employer shoulders the employer’s share and may deduct the employee’s share from salary).

Mode of Payment

Payment must be made at least once a month.
Preferably through bank transfer or ATM payroll (if the kasambahay agrees).
Payment in kind (food, lodging) is allowed but must not exceed 50% of the wage.

Standard Employment Contract

RA 10361 requires a written employment contract (available in Filipino/Visayan) containing:

Duties and responsibilities
Period of employment
Agreed wage and mode of payment
Work hours and rest days
Authorized deductions
Contact numbers in case of emergency

Termination of Employment

Just causes (serious misconduct, willful disobedience, gross neglect, crime against employer, etc.) → no separation pay
Authorized causes (installation of labor-saving devices, redundancy, etc.) → separation pay of at least 15 days’ salary
Pre-termination without just cause → kasambahay entitled to unpaid wages + indemnity equivalent to 15 days’ work

Latest Developments (2023–2025)

As of December 2025, no new wage order has superseded Wage Order RB XI-DW-04 (₱6,000 in chartered cities).
Several bills are pending in the 19th Congress proposing a nationwide uniform minimum wage of ₱9,000–₱12,000 for kasambahay, but none have been enacted into law yet.
The Davao City Council passed a resolution in 2024 urging RTWPB-XI to review and increase the wage, but no new order has been issued.

Summary Table (Davao City Proper – December 2025)

Item	Amount / Requirement
Minimum Monthly Wage	₱6,000.00
13th-Month Pay	Minimum ₱6,000 ÷ 12 = ₱500
Service Incentive Leave	5 days with pay
SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG	Mandatory registration & contribution
Payment Frequency	At least once every month
Maximum Payment in Kind	50% of wage

Employers in Davao City who pay below ₱6,000 per month or fail to provide the mandatory benefits are liable for money claims before the DOLE Regional Office or the regular courts, plus possible criminal prosecution under RA 10361.

This remains the complete and updated legal framework for kasambahay wages in Davao City as of the present date.