LOCAL officials in Cagayan de Oro City expressed support to the Kasambahay Bill or Republic Act 10361 ("An Act Instituting Policies for the Protection and Welfare of Domestic Workers") that was signed into law by President Benigno Aquino III last January 18, 2013.
Councilor Ramon Tabor said: “It is about time that we should address the welfare of our househelpers who assist our household demands. In return, we should also address their needs.”
“Personally, I have been implementing some of its provisions even before its passage; enrolling them in SSS (Social Security System) coverage, their hospital needs and even education if they request so -- the so-called working students. Addressing their needs will warrant loyalty from them,” Tabor said in a text message Thursday.
An estimated 2.9 million domestic workers nationwide or "katabang sa balay" will benefit from the law, which takes effects 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette of the Labor department or a newspaper of general circulation.
The Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) will be consulting with other government agencies, including the Justice and Social Welfare departments, SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-Ibig in framing the law's implementing rules and regulations (IRR). The IRR will be released by May 2013, a report said.
The bill defines labor rights of domestic household workers and provides regular employment benefits for them. It benefits yayas, cooks, gardeners, laundrywomen, family drivers and many others.
According to the law, the minimum wage for domestic workers is set at P2,500 a month in the National Capital Region (NCR); P2,000 a month in chartered cities and first class municipalities; and P1,500 a month for those employed in other municipalities.
Employers are also required to pay wages of domestic workers in cash, and to provide pay slips to their household help.
They are mandated as well to enter into a contract with their domestic workers.
A year after the law takes effect, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards are mandated to review and adjust the wages (only upward adjustment is allowed) for domestic workers as needed.
Aside from standardized pay, domestic workers will be entitled to Social Security System, PhilHealth, and Pag-Ibig Fund, with premium payments shouldered by employers if the helpers receive a monthly salary below P5,000.
Councilor Alex Dacer, City Council’s chairman of the committee on labor, said house helpers have an important role in the society that needs to be recognized.
“The house helpers’ rights to benefits must also be given to them,” said Dacer.
Dacer said, with the existing law, he will coordinate with Department of Labor and Employment to ensure that proper benefits and salary will be implemented by their employers.
He said his committee is open to accommodate any complaint from house helpers. (With LSM)