DOLE: Only 35,000 of 1.4M household helpers have written employment contract

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Friday admitted challenges in the implementation of the Batas Kasambahay, saying that only around 35,000 household helpers have written contracts.

Citing the survey of the National Wages and Productivity Commission and Philippine Statistics Authority in 2019, DOLE-Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns Director IV Ahmma Charisma Lobrin-Satumba said an estimated 1.4 million household helpers were recorded in the country.

“Pero ang challenge po talaga ang compliance o pagsunod sa batas, halimbawa po doon sa batas nalaman nila na out of 1.4 million, 2.5% lang ang may employment contract so ito ay around 35,000 lang at 1.36 million ay walang written employment contract,” Lobrin-Satumba said at the public briefing.

She also said that only a few household helpers are covered by the social protection agencies.

“Malaki rin pong concern 'yung maliit na coverage pa sa ating mga social protection agencies. Halimbawa po nakita roon 83% nung 1.4 million ay hindi pa covered,” she said.

“Kaya malaking challenge po ito talaga, 'yung intensyon ng batas ay maikasatuparan na sila ay maprotektahan, mabigyan ng mga benepisyo. Ilan lang po ito sa mga challenges na kinakaharap natin sa pag-implement ng batas,” she added.

Meanwhile, Lobrin-Satumba said the minimum wage for all household helpers increased in all regions from P500 to P2,500 depending on their area last 2022.

“Ang good news po nung 2022 nagtaas po ang lahat ng rehiyon, through Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPB), ng mga minimum wage para sa ating mga kasambahay. Nagraraise from 500 to 2,500 ang increases natin at ngayon po ang pinakamababang sahod na P3,500 at mataas P6,000 depende sa region,” she said.

“Ang edad para maging kasambahay ay 15 years and above na, doon sa 15 to18 mas strikto tayo kasi mga bata 'yan so ang 15 to 18 ang kasambahay kailangan di lalagpas sa walong oras sa isang araw ang kanilang pagtatrabaho or 40 hours a week,” she added.

The DOLE official said for labor-related complaints, the public may approach the kasambahay desk officers in their barangay, provincial, or regional offices.—AOL, GMA Integrated News