Is P66,000 Monthly Japan Domestic Worker Salary Worth It?

Japan’s announcement that it is willing to hire Filipino domestic workers has become a welcome news to many Filipinos worldwide. Earning a salary much higher — pegged at US$1,500 or about P66,000 — than most other countries is a welcome alternative.

Adding to the allure is Japan’s appeal as a tourist destination and a civilized society that is a contrast to what many Filipino domestic workers endure in certain places where they experience abuse, long working hours and receive low wages.

But is it worth the try?

First, applicants need to understand that there are additional requirements such as language proficiency before one is admitted to work as a domestic worker in Japan. That’s on top of the usual requirements of TESDA training and necessary paperwork at POEA.

And since news reports say helpers will be on a live-out working arrangement, at areas such as Osaka and Kanagawa prefectures, it is also important to understand how much is the cost of living in these areas. Assuming that food and accommodation is not free, it is prudent to make conservative estimates on how much is the take home pay after calculating the cost of living in Japan.

Just like in any opportunity to work abroad, we should not look only at the salary offer but also understand the cost of living in that country.

Cost of living in Osaka – based on Expatistan data entered by 52 individuals.

Food
	Lunchtime menu in the business district	Php469
	Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar)	Php262
	1/2 Kg (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast	Php198
	1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk	Php73
	12 eggs, large	Php101
	1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes	Php227
	500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese	Php296
	1 kg (2 lb.) of apples	Php269
	1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes	Php155
	0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket	Php102
	1 bottle of red table wine, good quality	Php421
	2 liters of Coca-Cola	Php85
	Bread for 2 people for 1 day	Php85
Housing
	Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area	Php75,697
	Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas …) for 2 people in 85m2 flat	Php8,310
	Internet 8MB (1 month)	Php1,068
	40” flat screen TV	Php46,327
	Microwave, known brand, 800/900 Watt	Php4,778
	Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.)	Php698
	Hourly rate for cleaning help	Php1,215
Clothes
	1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar)	Php3,288
	1 summer dress in a chain store (Zara, H&M, …)	Php1,573
	1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or similar)	Php2,773
	1 pair of leather business shoes	Php4,179
Transportation
	Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDI 140 CV 6 vel. (or equivalent), with no extras, new	Php862,329
	1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas	Php56
	Monthly ticket public transport	Php3,613
	Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 Km. (5 miles)	Php1,045
Personal Care
	Medicine against cold for 6 days (Frenadol, Coldrex, …)	Php467
	1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, …)	Php211
	Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.)	Php265
	Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.)	Php211
	4 rolls of toilet paper	Php48
	Tube of toothpaste	Php96
	Standard men’s haircut in expat area of the city	Php1,229
Entertainment
	Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub	Php1,713
	2 tickets to the movies	Php1,329
	2 tickets to the theater (best available seats)	Php2,620
	Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant including wine and dessert	Php3,052
	1 cocktail drink in downtown club	Php270
	Cappuccino in expat area of the city	Php199
	1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.)	Php193
	iPod nano 16GB	Php5,106
	1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans)	Php21
	1 month of gym membership in business district	Php3,513
	1 package of Marlboro cigarettes	Php156