LGU-Isabela City, DOLE ask barangays to uphold Kasambahay Law

By Rene V. Carbayas

ISABELA CITY, Basilan, July 26 (PIA) – Two separate forums on Kasambahay Law were held recently in the city to raise public consciousness on Republic Act 10361 that institutes policies for the protection and welfare of domestic workers.

Ramon Nuñal, City Administrator said during the forum that this advocacy initiated by DOLE is an attempt to educate the public through the help of the stakeholders and the barangay officials, most importantly, whose role is crucial to the success of implementing the law.

Engr. Wesley D. Tan, officer-in-charge of DOLE Isabela City Field

Office said that R.A. 10361 is the fulfillment of the Philippine’s

commitment and obligation to afford greater protection to domestic

household service worker (Kasambahay) and the Philipines ratified

ILO convention 189 known as Decent Work for Domestic Workers in

2012. (Rene V. Carbayas, PIA9-ZBST)

“I know we will not be 100% successful in our advocacy, especially among employers. Many of whom will circumvent the law and many will still refuse to obey the law. Therefore it is a challenge for us. The law identified the role of the barangay leaders to come up with a data base,” he said.

Enrico C. Flores, SSS Basilan branch head revealed that as of July 5 only 8 employers and 9 kasambahays have voluntarily registered at the SSS in the city.

Recognizing the limited manpower of the local labor department, Nuñal said that the data gathered from the barangays will greatly help monitor and enforce the law and that the data will be very useful for the Social Security System, Pag-IBIG and PhiHealth.

Cyrus P. Tingcang of DOLE region IX said that the law protects both the employer and employee as each is now bound with a contract where the obligation of each is stipulated.

Tingcang stressed that barangays must establish a Kasambahay desk where the registry of household workers in the barangay is set-up. This will also fastrack rescue of distressed workers in their midst.

Engr. Wesley D. Tan, officer-in-charge of DOLE Isabela City Field Office said that R.A. 10361 is the fulfillment of the Philippine’s commitment and obligation to afford greater protection to domestic household service worker (Kasambahay) and the Philipines ratified ILO convention 189 known as Decent Work for Domestic Workers in 2012.

Two separate forums on Kasambahay Law were held recently in the

city to raise public consciousness on Republic Act 10361 that

institutes policies for the protection and welfare of domestic workers.

(Rene V. Carbayas, PIA9-ZBST)

Dubbed as learning session on Kasambahay Law, the Department of Labor and Employment-Isabela City Field Office conducted forum on July 5 and 16, respectively. The first session was held for barangay chairpersons and selected officials, including various government line agencies and the local government unit of Isabela. The other session was intended for the kasambahays themselves and their employers (amo).

During the sessions salient features of the law were discussed, including obligations of employers and Kasambahays to SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG. TESDA also introduced its programs where kasambahays could enhance their skills. (RVC/PIA9-ZBST)