After a period of wait, Japan is formally opening its doors to foreign household workers, according to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.
A report by GMA News on Wednesday said POEA will start processing applications on June 19.
POEA administrator Hans Leo Cacdac said applicants should have at least one-year experience in housekeeping, have receievd a Level 2 Certification from a TESDA-accredited training center, and should have familiarity with the Japanese language.
POEA said instead of domestic helpers, successful applicants will be called housekeepers.
Applicants are reportedly exempted from paying placement fees, training fees and transportation costs.
However, other associated costs such as passport processing, clearances, medical examination as well as PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG membership fees. Cacdac likewise noted that hired housekeepers will not be staying in their employers’ houses. Instead, they will be renting a their own quarters and will shoulder their own food expenses.
“Nasa kultura din kasi ng mga Hapon na ‘yung mga bahay nila ay hindi masyadong malaki. They are not used to having a stranger sa bahay nila,” Cacdac said.
He also noted that hired housekeepers will be required to work 40 hours a week or 8 hours a day. They will be given two rest days.
Employers will follow the minimum wage in the Kanagawa Prefecture. The gross pay would be around ¥136,203 (P58,565.38) and the net pay (after food and house rental) is estimated at ¥59,856 or P25,736.
There will also be a contract to signed by the recruiter and the employer to protect hired housekeepers, Cacdac said.