THOUGHTSKOTO

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

OFWs to Benefit in New Zealand Minimum Wage Increase this April

(Watch:Minimum wage increasing to $15.75 from 1 April 2017)

Around 45,000 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in New Zealand will be getting an increase in their monthly salary starting this April.

This is after the New Zealand government increased its worker's minimum wage.

This good news is confirmed by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Canberra, Australia. New Zealand is under the jurisdiction of POLO-Australia.

Labor Attaché Rodolfo Sabulao in his report to Secretary Silvestre Bello III of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said, starting this month, the wage increase of NZ$.50 will take effect.

The adjustment would hike the hourly minimum wage from NZ$15.25 to NZ$15.75, or P17.51 per hour.

The new minimum salary applies to all hour worked regardless of the worker's status in New Zealand base on the announcement of Workplace Relation and Safety Ministry.

Even an employee who works for only two hours is also entitled to a wage increase for every hour worked.

Sabulao also reported the hike in the starting-out and training minimum wage rates from NZ$12.20 to NZ$12.60 per hour, which is still 80 percent of the minimum wage.

(OFWs in New Zealand - Photo Credit to ofwheroes.blogspot.com)

Currently, there are 44, 385 Filipinos in New Zealand that compose of permanent migrants, permanent residents and those who acquired New Zealand citizenship.

Meanwhile, on May 1, Filipino Domestic Helpers in Singapore will also benefit the minimum wage increase.

(Watch: POEA: How to Apply Legally for Work Abroad)