On kasambahay law Pag-IBIG, HLURB to brief homeowners

CEBU, Philippines - The Pag-IBIG Central Visayas and the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board are set to hold a briefing with the different homeowners associations on the Republic Act 10361 otherwise known as “Domestic Workers Act”.

Section 30 of the law which is popularly known as the “Batas Kasambahay” provides that a domestic worker who has rendered at least one month of service shall be covered by the Social Security System (SSS), the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and the Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG, and shall be entitled to all the benefits in accordance with the pertinent provisions provided by law.

Rio Teves, department manager of Pag-IBIG-Cebu South Branch, said that holding briefings among homeowners is one of their information dissemination campaigns to ensure that the targeted would-be members will be covered.

“Lisud man nga mag-house-to-house mi on this campaign (It is difficult to go house-to-house). So we opted that we will do it by homeowner association in coordination with HLURB kay sila man ang naay listahan sa mga different homeowner associations,” said Teves.

Under the law, premium payments or contributions shall be shouldered by the employer. However, if the domestic worker is receiving a wage of P5,000.00 and above per month, the domestic worker shall pay the proportionate share in the premium payments or contributions, as provided by law.

This Act applies to all domestic workers employed and working within the country.

The Act, which was signed into law last January 18, declared to adhere the  internationally accepted working conditions for workers in general, and establishes labor standards for domestic workers in particular, towards decent employment and income, enhanced coverage of social protection, respect for human rights and strengthened social dialogue. — (FREEMAN)