DOLE-6 taps brgy officials to enforce Kasambahay Law

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — The Department of Labor and Employment-6 will be getting the help of barangay officials in enforcing the Kasambahay Law in Western Visayas.

DOLE-6 officer-in-charge Salome Siaton said barangay officials, especially the barangay chairman, will act as witnesses between the employer and employee in signing the kasambahay contract, a month after the househelp starts working with his or her employer.

Barangay Chairperson Love Joy Hosenilla of Brgy. Buntatala in Jaro district of this city, said she was amenable to making barangay officials as witnesses in signing the contract between the employer and house helper so that if ever there would be problem arising later on, they would have prior knowledge on the existing agreement.

Siaton said the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) will have easy access to validate the number of househelps registered in the barangay with the cooperation of the local government unit.

In case a problem arises beyond the signed contract, the Regional Conciliation and Mediation Board-6 (RCMB-6) and the DOLE-6's Single-Entry Approach Desk Officer (SEADO) will hear the complaint and act as the kasambahay desk officers, said Siaton.

Under the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), the minimum wage set for house helpers employed in Metro Manila is P2,500 a month; P2,000 in cities and first class municipalities; and P1,500 in other municipalities.

The monthly pay of a househelps (kasambahay) shall be given in cash as compensation in promissory notes and vouchers are not allowed. They will be given also separation pay equivalent to 15 days salary if he/she will end his/her contract.

Kasambahays who have rendered at least a month of service are entitled to 13th month pay to be paid not later than Dec. 24 every year or upon separation from employment.

The IRR also prohibits employers from withholding the wages of kasambahays or deducting any amount from their wages for loss or damage other than those mandated by law without consent.

Hiring of kasambahay under 15-17years of age is also prohibited under the new IRR which will not exceed 40 working hours in a week, between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

The IRR applies to all parties to an employment contract for service of kasambahays like yaya, cook, gardener, laundry person, children under foster family arrangement and any person performing domestic work. (FREEMAN)