Kasambahay Law author JV lauds PNoy: Says its best gift for domestic workers

CEBU, Philippines -  San Juan City Rep. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito Estrada thanked President Benigno Aquino III for signing into law the Domestic Workers Act, popularly known as Kasambahay Law.

“I’m very thankful to President Aquino for his concern over the plight of household helps who have long been at the mercy of their respective employers,” said JV, one of the main authors of the Kasambahay bill, in a press statement issued to the Bacolod media.

“This is the best gift we can give at the start of the New Year for these hardworking men and women who tend to our homes and take care of our children,” he said.

The Philippine Star, citing two reliable sources, reported recently that Aquino has signed into law the Kasambahay bill for domestic workers, although it was still awaiting the assignment of a Republic Act number.

The Kasambahay Act ensures the rights and welfare of the estimated two million household helps all over the country and also sets a minimum wage for them.

Under the new law, the minimum salary of a domestic helper is pegged at P2,500 in Metro Manila, P2,000 in chartered cities and first-class municipalities, and P1,500 in the rest of the country, said JV, vice chairman of the House committee on labor.

The law also orders the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board to determine succeeding salary increases following consultations with stakeholders.

Apart from monetary compensation, which includes a 13th-month pay, the law also mandates employers to enroll their househelps in Social Security System, Philhealth and Pag-IBIG, and to pay part of their monthly contribution.

Also, domestic helpers should be afforded at least eight hours of rest every day and a day-off a week, he said. —Danny B. Dangcalan

“Most household helps have very little education,” said JV, who is running for senator in the May 2013 election. “That is why I’m glad that my proposal to require employers to allow their household helps to complete their basic education has become part of the new law.”

A similar bill was first filed 15 years ago, JV said, adding that the current bill went through countless modifications before it was finally approved in the 15th Congress in the first week of December. (FREEMAN)