Kasambahay law mandates TESDA training for helpers

CEBU, Philippines - As the law so mandates, Filipino kasambahays or domestic workers need to be trained and educated.

Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said that the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 10361 mandates the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) to promote the education and training that will redound to the protection, competitiveness, and employability of Filipino kasambahays or domestic workers.

R.A. 10361 is otherwise known as An Act Instituting Policies for the Protection and Welfare of Domestic Workers, also known as Batas Kasambahay.

At the recent ceremonial signing of the law's IRR held at the Bulwagan ng Karunungan of the Department of Education in Pasig City, the labor and employment chief said that the Tesda, a DOLE attached agency in charge of technical and vocational education and training, shall implement this mandate as soon as the IRR takes effect 15 days after its publication in two newspapers of general circulation.

Last January 18, President Benigno S. Aquino III signed into law the Kasambahay Bill which has been described as the most fitting gift that the government has given to over 2.9 million Filipino domestic helpers.

The Batas Kasambahay institutionalizes the provision of a comprehensive package of benefits to Filipino household service workers, including their entitlement to 13th month pay; service incentive leaves; and social welfare benefits, such as SSS, Pag-ibig and Philhealth.

The law fulfills the country’s obligation to enact a national legislation in compliance with the International Labor Organization’s Convention 189 which sets new international standards for the protection of household helpers.

Baldoz said the provision for training in technical-vocational education for Kasambahay under R.A. 10361 affirms their right and access to opportunities for education and training.

Section 16 of the IRR specifically mandates that the Kasambahay shall be afforded the opportunity to finish basic education, which shall consist of elementary and secondary education.

In reference to Tesda, Rule VII of the IRR mandates it to undertake its functions on skills training, assessment, and certification.

Under Section 1, Tesda shall adjust the existing training regulations for issuance of National Certificate (NCII) on housekeeping and customize them for local-hired kasambahay within six months from the promulgation of the IRR.

Meanwhile, to ensure productivity and assure quality services, Section 2 provides that the DOLE, through the Regional/Provincial or District Offices of Tesda, shall facilitate access of kasambahay to efficient training, assessment, and certification based on Tesda Training Regulations for Household Services NCII. 

For this purpose, the competencies to be achieved consist of (a) cleaning living room, dining room, bedroom toilet, and kitchen;  (b) washing and ironing clothes, linen and fabric; (c) preparing hot and cold meals/food; and (d) serving food and beverage.

The third section finally provides that the kasambahay intending to be trained and certified for Household Services NC II must possess the qualifications specified in the customized local-hired kasambahay training regulation of TESDA.

Baldoz emphasized that under the law, a kasambahay may be allowed access to alternative learning systems, and as far as practicable, higher education or tech-voc training. (FREEMAN)