DHTML Menu by Milonic
 




Splash Page

Featured Publication

Contact Us

Click here to join domesticworkersnews
Click to join domesticworkersnews

Free Translation and Professional Translation Services from SDL International


Laws
Laws > 10 Fundamental Rights of Household Helpers/ Domestic Workers >

10 Fundamental Rights of Household Helpers/ Domestic Workers

In the event that Batas Kasambahay is enacted, the fundamental rights of maids, gardeners, babysitters and caregivers bring this traditionally informal sector closer towards the benefits and protection accorded by law through the following:



Humane Treatment
Domestic workers shall be treated in a just and humane way. Verbal and physical abuse, imprisonment inside the home, or forcibly making them render services in other homes is absolutely unacceptable.

Basic Needs
According to the capacity of the employers, domestic workers are to be provided with a clean place to stay, enough food, and medical attention in case of sickness due to work.

Security
A contract should be signed indicating that the employment will not last more than two years, as an official document for ending services or any relationship with the employer.

Standard Pay and 13th-Month Pay
In Metro Manila, the monthly salary should not be below PhP1,500; and PhP1,200 in all other first class cities and municipalities; PhP1,000 for the rest. In addition, 13th month pay is mandatory in the amount of the monthly salary; there should be yearly pay increases. Payment shall be made directly to the domestic worker without any deductions unless agreed upon by the employer and domestic worker through a written agreement. The domestic worker will not shoulder any expense including transportation fares, recruitment or finders' fees, and medical examination fees.

Prescribed Hours of Work
No domestic worker will work more than 10 hours a day, exclusive of one-hour breaks for meals. The employer will duly compensate any work rendered by the domestic worker beyond the ten hours accordingly. The domestic worker shall be allowed at least 8 continuous hours of rest per day.

Regular Working Days
No domestic worker shall render work for more than 6 days per week, or rest for less than 4 days per month. While the specific day of the week set aside as the domestic worker's rest day may be stipulated in the employment contract, the same may be exchanged for another day of the week upon the mutual agreement of the domestic worker and the employer as the exigencies of the household may dictate. Domestic workers are also entitled to a 14-day vacation leave with pay annually, and maternity leave benefits.

Protecting Minors
Although the law allows youths 15 to 17 years old to work as domestic workers, it is illegal to engage them in working environments hazardous to their well being, health and morality. It is unlawful to hire anyone below fifteen years of age.

SSS & Philhealth Membership
Domestic workers should be covered by the Social Security (SSS) and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Phil Health) and enjoy the benefits provided by these agencies. To facilitate this, the SSS launches outreach programs for domestic workers.

Self Development
It is the right of every domestic worker to strive for self-development and education as allowed by her work schedule. This right will not be a precedent for any deductions from the domestic worker's salary. There will be no domestic worker below legal age denied of formal or vocational education.

Participation
The privacy of domestic workers shall be respected at all times, especially during their rest periods and concerning personal communication outside of the employer's house. No domestic worker will be hampered from seeking the assistance of legal representatives like the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), barangay council or registered non-government organizations. As a way to give them due recognition for their contribution to society, the "Araw ng mga Kasambahay" (Domestic Workers Day) will be observed as a non-working holiday with pay.



Download 10 basic rights poster_FINAL.jpg (size 2668007)