Legarda Calls for Strict Compliance with Batas Kasambahay

Senator Loren Legarda today called for the strict compliance of employers with the Domestic Workers Act or Batas Kasambahay (Republic Act 10361) as the law took effect early this month following the release of its implementing rules and regulations.

“The enactment into law of the Batas Kasambahay is a major step in according decent working conditions, fair compensation, and sufficient benefits to our domestic workers; but the greater challenge is ensuring that employers will abide by the law. We must ensure the strict implementation of this law, which is one of the foundations of inclusive growth that the Philippines as a nation aspires for,” said Legarda, co-author and co-sponsor of the law.

The Senator said that under the law, employers are required to register the kasambahay under their employment in their barangay, which will have a kasambahay masterlist that will be submitted to the local government unit (LGU).

Domestic workers covered by the law are those who regularly perform domestic work on an occupational basis like a general househelp, nursemaid or yaya, cook, gardener, and laundry person. Those who perform work occasionally and not on an occupational basis are not covered by the law.

“The Kasambahay Law demands that there should be a contract between the employer and the kasambahay which shall be written in a language understood by both and must include details such as the kasambahay’s duties and responsibilities, period of employment, hours of work, compensation and authorized deductions,” Legarda explained.

Aside from a monthly salary worth P2,500 for those working in the National Capital Region, P2,000 for those in chartered cities and first-class municipalities, and P1,500 for those in other cities, a kasambahay is also entitled to 13th month pay, Social Security System (SSS), PhilHealth and Pag-ibig benefits, and an annual incentive leave of at least five days with pay.

“Through this law, we have taken that major step in treating our kasambahays as workers and not servants. This is a clear yardstick for equality in the country, and this heralds better things to come for other marginalized sectors,” Legarda concluded.