“The Batas Kasambahay Law has been lauded as a landmark piece of social legislation in the Philippine history, as it has instituted policies for protection of one of the most vulnerable sections of society: the domestic workers. Now, on its fifth year of implementation, mahalaga sigurong kumustahin natin ang ating mga kasambahay kung napabuti ba ang kanilang kalagayan?”
This was the core message of Institute for Labor Studies Acting Executive Director Ahmma Charisma Lobrin Satumba, as delivered by Acting Deputy Director Brenalyn A. Peji to welcome the guests kasambahays as resource persons of “Magandang Kasambahay! Talakayan Hinggil sa Pagpapatupad ng Batas Kasambahay” on 26th of March 2018 at iLearn Conference Room, ILS-DOLE, 5th floor DOLE Bldg., Intramuros, Manila.
When the Philippines ratified ILO Convention 189 (Domestic Workers Convention) in 2012, it was followed by the enactment of Kasambahay Law, Republic Act No. 10361 on 18 January 2013.
This law was established to address the inherent vulnerabilities faced by our domestic workers. The law entitles domestic workers to benefits including set of minimum wage, paid leaves and coverage in state insurance program such as SSS, Philhealth and Pag-Ibig. The law also requires an employer to have employment contract, pay slip and even certificate of employment, thereby formalizing transactions between worker and employer.
Talakayan Hinggil sa Batas Kasambahay used a talk show format to discuss and surface the experiences, perspective, and insights of kasambahays regarding the implementation of Kasambahay Law.
The guest kasambahays came from civil society organizations (CSOs) advocating domestic rights such as the Visayan Forum, Sentro, and the Alliance of Workers in the Informal Economy Sector (ALLWIES). Also present were discussant or panel of commentators from government agencies namely Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF), Social Security System (SSS), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns (BWSC), DOLE-NCR, Bureau of Working Conditions (BWC), and Occupational Safety And Health Center (OSHC).
Some of the questions asked and clarified were the following: “Ilang taon po kayo ng pumasok bilang kasambahay?” Kayo po ba ay may kontrata ng pumasok bilang kasambahay? Mayroon po ba kayong SSS at Pag-Ibig? Sino po ang nagbabayad nito? May training po ba kayong naranasan sa pagtatrabaho bilang kasambahay?
At the end of the talk show, the guest kasambahays shared that they wish that more of their fellow kasambahays and those employing them would become aware of their rights as provided by law.
The Institute for Labor Studies (ILS) is the policy research and advocacy arm of the Department of Labor and Employment. For more information about ILS products and services, please visit: http://ils.dole.gov.ph or call Advocacy and Publications Division at tel.no. 527-3590