The landmark law protecting the rights of domestic workers is celebrating its first anniversary through a bash dubbed as “1st Araw ng mga Kasambahay.”
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Davao region spearheads the staging of the anniversary celebration of Batas Kasambahay together with other implementing agencies the Department of Interior and Local government (DILG), SSS, Pag-IBIG and PhilHealth.
DOLE Davao regional director Joffrey M. Suyao said that DOLE is throwing full support to Batas Kasambahay by further strengthening the information dissemination of the law in a gathering of domestic workers and their employers.
“We are one in promoting the welfare and protection of our domestic workers,” Suyao said.
President Benigno S. Aquino III signed last January 18, 2013, Republic Act 10361 instituting the policies for the protection and welfare of the domestic workers, popularly known as Batas Kasambay or Domestic Workers Act.”
“Our celebration will be held in Brgy. Pampanga in Davao City where DOLE and our partner agencies will conduct orientation about our respective programs and do the actual registrations of the domestic workers in the various social protection benefits they are entitled to,” Suyao said.
“Aside from information dissemination and registration, there will also be games and surprises,” Suyao said, adding that he is grateful to the support of the local officials in the barangay.
Kasambahay law covers general household helpers including yayas, cooks, gardeners, laundry persons and helpers hired on a live-out arrangement. However, family drivers and individuals who perform occasional and sporadic work and not on an occupational and regular basis are not covered.
The law said that a kasambahay who has rendered service for one month is eligible for 13th month pay, SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG benefits.
“Aside from the social protection benefits, the law has also standardized the minimum wage of P2,500 for Metro Manila, P2,000 for cities and 1st class municipalities and P1,500 for other municipalities; daily rest period of 8 total hours, weekly rest period of 24 uninterrupted hours, five days annual service incentive leave with pay,” Suyao said.
Sherwin B. Manual/DOLE11
