Unified registration of domestic workers out soon

CEBU, Philippines - Government agencies responsible in implementing the “Kasambahay Law” have agreed to roll out the Unified Registration System in two weeks.

The URS will be a standard and unified registration procedure to facilitate the seamless transactional environment for the registration of domestic workers with Pag-IBIG, PhilHealth, and the Social Security System.

Under the URS, there will be only three one-page forms to be used.

These are the Household Employer Unified Registration Form, Kasambahay Unified Registration Form, and the Household Employment Unified Report Form.

However, under the system, the three agencies shall maintain their respective ID numbering system, hence, the employer and the kasambahay will be issued three different ID numbers until such time that a common ID issuance system is developed and adopted, the Department of Labor and Employment said.

Republic Act No. 10361, otherwise known as An Act Instituting Policies for the Protection and Welfare of Domestic Workers, or the Kasambahay Law was signed into law on January 19, 2013.

However, “chaos” apparently arise after domestic employees and employers were having a hard time getting forms separately of these three government agencies when the law was implemented.

“Hasul gyud kaayo kuha sa mga forms sa tagsa tagsa ka agency. Libog ang sistema,” said an employeer, who refused not to be named.

The Kasambahay Law aims to ensure the social protection of household employees under various government agencies, which include the SSS, Philhealth and Pag-IBIG Fund.

The heads of the agencies agreed that once the MOU is signed and the URS is ready, they will conduct an extensive information and education campaign to raise the people’s awareness on the Kasambahay Law and the URS. (FREEMAN)