"An industry body has hit out at a government policy to set a minimum monthly salary of $400 a month for Filipino domestic helpers, according to the Manila Times. The Federated Association of Manpower Agencies (FAME), umbrella for overseas recruitment groups, warned such a high minimum wage level could result in a slowdown.

"We cannot tell foreign employers how much they should pay the workers," said Eduardo Mahiyain, president of FAME. The Department of Labor and Employment and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration said the policy would take effect on 16 November."