September 2002
Posted by: Visayan Forum Foundation, Inc.

While it is always important to emphasize that there are now proposed legal provisions pertaining to minimum standards, being too legalistic in our approach will definitely invite your natural resistance. Many employers generally view employing a domestic worker as a personal affair confined to the home.

It will be necessary to punish abusive employers to set an example for others. However, we would like to creatively challenge you to set a positive example to others.

We challenge you to treat your child domestic workers as an integral part of your family. They are your partners at home and not merely replaceable servants.

If you are already doing these human acts, then tell your pastor or priest about it. Let them shape their sermons to parishioners on the reciprocity theme, "Do not do unto others as you would like others do unto you." Indeed, how you treat your maid will reflect on how she will treat your child.

Finally, you may ask, "But what practical things should I do?" The answer is simple. At least you should pay your domestic worker regularly and enroll her to the social security system. If she dreams of studying, let her go to school without deducting from her pay. Allow her days off every week. Grant her at least once a year to visit her family.

You can just imagine the self worth you develop to more than a million workers like her.

See also: Mainlink_Programs & Services_Kasambahay_Employers as partners.doc

If you have other positive suggestions, you can write to us.