DOLE honors 11 ‘kasambahays’ in Dinagat Islands
By Renelle L. Escuadro
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — Often described as the first to wake up and the last to sleep, yet treated as the ‘invisible’ workforce among Filipino households, 11 ‘kasambahays’ or domestic workers from the Province of Dinagat Islands recently attended a learning session that recognized their rights, benefits, and social protection under Republic Act 10361 or the Batas Kasambahay.
Spearheaded by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the activity held on February 12 in observance of the Araw ng mga Kasambahay served as a platform to strengthen awareness of labor standards and promote compliance among employers to ensure that kasambahays in Dinagat Islands receive lawful compensation, benefits, and protection in accordance with national labor policies.
Participated also by employers and representatives from the local government units in the province, the activity heightened awareness and compliance with RA 10361, which sets the standards for wages, benefits, and working conditions of the kasambahays across the country.
DOLE Dinagat Islands Provincial Office Head John Ritche A. Tangpos shared the mandatory benefits of the kasambahays. “Kasambahays are entitled to mandatory benefits, including 13th month pay, service incentive leaves, and enrollment in social security programs as legal obligations of employers.”
He said, “These include coverage under the Social Security System (SSS), PhilHealth, and the Pag-IBIG Fund, as provided by law.”
The engagement also featured discussions on skills development available to kasambahays as the representative from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) tackles competency assessment programs that allow them to obtain national certifications. PhilHealth, on the other hand, presented its Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP), which offers preventive and primary care coverage that they can avail of.
The Dinagat Islands Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) outlined the welfare assistance services available to kasambahays, and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) conducted a safety orientation on fire prevention and emergency preparedness in households.
Janette, a participant from Barangay Santa Cruz, San Jose town, shared that she is blessed to have an employer who is compliant with the law for domestic workers. She hoped that the learning session would empower more kasambahays and employers to ensure compliance with the law.
Republic Act No. 10361 protects the rights of local domestic workers against abuse, harassment, violence, economic exploitation, and performance of work that is hazardous to their physical and mental health, ensuring their safe and healthful working conditions. (RLE, PIA Dinagat Islands with a report from DOLE PDI)
