BEGINNING May 8, the P500 wage increase for domestic workers in Western Visayas would be taking effect, according to the Department of Labor and Employment. This is good news to our kasambahay, also called timbang or kabulig.
Since the enactment of Republic Act No. 10361 or the Kasambahay Law in 2013, there have been efforts to address the plight of our domestic workers, such as the long-sought standardization of their compensation. On top of this, there’s also the International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention 189, or the Domestic Workers Convention that further ensures better compensation and greater protection of our domestic workers from abuses. The Convention primarily ensures that domestic workers are treated as legitimate workers, not slaves, and are accorded decent working conditions, just compensation and sufficient benefits.
For sure, our country is making headway in championing the causes of domestic workers as both the Kasambahay Law and the ILO Convention 189 are now being enforced. We hope we will be able to continuously effectively implement these policies.
The Convention 189 strengthens our resolve and leverage in negotiating for stronger protection and better terms and conditions of employment of Filipino domestic workers, especially those abroad.
Like the Kasambahay Law, the ILO Convention 189 provides that all domestic workers should be informed of the terms and conditions of their employment, including salary, time of work and rest, provision of food and shelter, and vacation.
The Convention sets international standards that would make sure domestic workers enjoy effective protection against abuse and other forms of violence.
We hope that through the faithful implementation of this treaty, as well as of the Kasambahay Law, we can give due recognition to our domestic workers, our household heroes, not as invisible hands but as legitimate workers, equipped with the rights and benefits they truly deserve.
