‘Kasambahay’ law now in effect

MANILA, Philippines—Make sure you treat your house help well.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reminded employers of the protections and better working conditions for household workers enshrined in the kasambahay law, which took effect Tuesday.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz also reminded DOLE regional offices to provide barangays (villages) with copies of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the law.

Under the law, barangay officials, together with the Bureau of Local Employment, must record the contracts between household service workers (HSWs) and their employers before these are submitted to the Department of Interior and Local Government for consolidation and monitoring.

Baldoz said the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) and the Bureau of Labor Relations would assign officers to barangays to hear the complaints of HSWs under the new law.

The kasambahay law entitles house help to wages of at least P2,500 if they are employed in Metro Manila, P2,000 in other cities and first-class municipalities, and P1,500 elsewhere in the country.

Workers are also entitled to Social Security System (SSS), PhilHealth and Pag-Ibig coverage.—Tina G. Santos