| 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. Back
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