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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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7 J@i 
30 P i .,: ! /. 
First Regular Session 
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S.B. No. 
""'E1 
7 
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Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill establishes a Magna Carta for househelpers to promote their rights and 
protect their welfare. 
The Labor Code of the Philippines define domestic helpers as those who perform 
such services in the employer's home which are usually necessary or desirable for the 
maintenance and enjoyment thereof, or minister to the personal comfort, convenience, 
or safety of the employer as well as the members of his employer's household. Domestic 
helpers enable their employers to fully pursue their own economic and social activities. 
Domestic helpers' work is no longer confined in doi-ig household chores but more 
importantly, they have become "companions at home" or "kasambahay." 
As of October 2006, there were 624,000 domestic helpers aged at least 10 years 
old in the country. 35% or 218,000 of these workers were found in the National Capital 
Region. Nine out of ten are female and about 60% belonged to age group 16-24 years 
old. About 123,000 or 19.6% of total domestic helpers were working children aged 10-17 
years old. 
While private sector employees worked 43.8 hours during a typical workweek, 
domestic helpers rendered 65.6 hours or a normal work day of 10.2 hours. Their 
minimum wages are excluded from the coverage of wage orders and are governed by 
Republic Act No. 7655 which mandates that house helpers must be paid P800 a month 
in Metro Manila and in highly urbanized cities, P650 in other chartered cities and first 
class municipalities and P500 for other municipalities. In year 2006, domestic helpers 
received an average daily basic pay of P88.57 across all regions. 
Clearly, given the work they perform in our homes and the services they render, 
our "kasambahays" are not only overworked but pooily compensated. It is therefore 
impe,.ative that we recognize their invaluable contribution to our society by 
acknowledging their distinct needs and providing for minimum working conditions 
that will ensure the protection of this traditionally informal labor sector. 
This bill makes it mandatory for all household working arrangements to be in 
writing in a language or dialect understood by both employer and household helpers. 
Moreover, a medical certificate shall be a pre-requisite for employment, the cost of 
which shall be for the account of the employer. Likewise, the minimum 'wage for 
househelpers shall be increased to one thousand pesos. 


Furthermore, house helpers shall be entitled to 13th month pay, membership in 
the Social Security System and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.< vacation 
leaves, maternity benefits, and deployment expenses. Finally, this proposed measure 
provides for the rights and privileges of household helpers in general, household 
helpers in minority age, and self-employed household helpers, which include a 
standard of treatment, prohibition on labor sub-contracting, prohibition on recruitment 
and finder’s fees, provision for basic necessities, among others. 
It is high time that we extend to our kasambahay 
recognition for the value of 
their service and their loyalty to the household. 
In view the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly requested. 
Senator 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
First Regular Session 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
.
I
 
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTING- REGULATORY POLICIES FOR THE HOUSEHOLD EMPLOYMENT 
PROMOTION OF THEIR WELFARE AND OF THEIR FAMILIES, AMENDING FOR 
THE PURPOSE PERTINENT PROVISIONS OF PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 442, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LABOR CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES 
INDUSTRY, 
ESTABLISHING 
STANDARDS 
OF 
PROTECTION 
AND 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
ARTICLE I 
TITLE, POLICY, PRINCIPLES AND DEFINITION OF TERMS 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Magna Carta of 
Household Helpers” or “Batas Kasambahay” 
SEC. 2. Declaration ofpolicies. - It is the declared policy of the State to’value the 
dignity of every person and guarantee full respect for human rights. 
It is hereby deciared a policy of the State to value the dignity of its citizens 
and to guarantee full respect for human rights. The State recognizes the 
dignity of honest labor, including the nobility and self-respect inherent in the 
household helper industry; 
The need to nurture and protect the interests of this hitherto unheralded 
heroes of the Philippine economy is recognized by the State, and t h q  shall be 
provided with adequate and timely social, economic and legal services, as 
well as mechanisms that shall protect their rights and promote benefits that 
ensure their dignified existence and economic upliftment; 
The State recognized the need to protect the rights of the household helpers 
against abuse, economic exploitation and performance of work that is 
hazardous to their physical, mental and spiritual health. The State futher 
recognizes that household helpers of minority age have special inalienable 
rights and privileges that should be espoused and protected, particularly in 
the areas of education, self-determination and self-improvement; 


It is the policy of the State to protect working women by ensuring safe and 
healthful working conditions and to take particular account of their maternal 
functions and needs. The State recognizes that the household helpel: industry 
is predominantly composed of women and, as such, the State shall promote 
gender-sensitive measures in the formulation, implementation, and proper 
dissemination of policies and programs affecting the household helper 
industry; and 
Duly-recognized non-government organizations are partners of the State in 
the protection of household helpers and in promotion of their welfare. The 
State shall cooperate with them in a spirit of trust and mutual respect. 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the term: 
(a) "Household helper", "househelper" or "kusambuhay" refers to any 
person who renders.domestic or household services exclusively to an employer 
as family driver, babysitter, gardener, cook, nursemaid or yuyu, or laundry 
woman. The term "kusambuhay" or "kusamu sa bakuy" shall be used in lieu of 
"katulong " to properly signify the worth of the labor of househelpers. 
, 
(b) "Self-employed", "part-time" or "day-to-day" household helper 
refers to any person who renders domestic or household services to more than 
one (1) employer on a contractual, part time or day-to-day basis. He or she may 
work in a single household, but not for more than three (3) days; otherwise he or 
she shall be considered as a household helper or kasambahay; 
(c) "Household helper of minority age" or "batung kasumbakuy" refers to a 
child fifteen (15) years of age and above up to seventeen (17) years of age who is 
engaged as a household helper under a valid contract of employment; 
(d) "Homeowner" or "employer" refers to any person who engages the 
services of a house heIper. For purposes of this Act, the employer shall 6e the one 
identified to. be the head of the family or any member of the fiousehold 
designated by the head of the family to manage the general housekeeping 
functions for the family; 
(e) "Household" refers to the immediate members of the fami1.v and/or 
the occupants of the house that are directly provided services by the house 
helper; 
(f) 
"Hours of work refer to the period of time during which a 
household helper is required to be on duty or to be at a prescribed workplace 
and/or the period of time during which the househelper is permitted to'work; 
(g) "Deployment expenses" refer to expenses that are directly used for 
the relocation or transfer of the house helper from the place of origin to the place 
of work including, but not limited to, the cost of transportation and finder's fees 
or agency fees if the househelper comes from an employment agency. Advances 
or loans made by the household helper are not included in the definition of 
deployment expenses; 


(h) "Hazardous work" refers to any activity or circumstance where the 
househelper is exposed to risk which constitutes an imminent danger, to his or 
her safety and health such as, but not limited to: 
i. 
any work, employment or activity which exposes the 
household helper to physical, emotional or sexual abuse; 
ii. 
any work which involves manual handling or 
transport of heavy loads; 
iii. 
any work in an unhealthy environment which exposes 
household helpers to hazardous substances, agents or processes, or to 
temperatures, noise levels, or vibrations damaging to their health; 
iv . 
any work which requires the household helper to 
render services for long periods of time or during late nights; 
V. 
any or all forms of slavery or practices similar to 
slavery, such as the sale and trafficking of household helpers, forced or 
compulsory labor, debt bondage and serfdom; 
vi. 
any use, procuring or offering of the household helper 
for prostitution or pornography; 
vii. 
any use, procuring or offering of the household helper 
for the commission of any offense or crime, particularly for the production 
and trafficking of prohibited drugs and substances as defined in Republic 
Act No. 9136; 
viii. 
any other type of work or activity which, by its nature 
or the circumstances in which it is carried out, is likely to jeopardize the 
health, safety or morals of the house helper; and 
ix. 
any other type of work, activity, condition or 
undertaking 'that may hereinafter be defined as hazardous by the 
Department of Labor and Employment. 
ARTICLE 2 
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT 
SEC. 4. Employment Contract - An employment contract shall be executed by 
and between the employer and household helper before the commencement of the 
service, in a dialect or language understandable to both parties. It must be ddly signed 
and notarized. Each party must have a copy of the said contract. 
A contract of employment shall include the following provisions: 
a.) 
b.) 
c.) 
period of employment which shall not exceed two (2) years for the initial 
contract; thereafter it may be renewed annually 
monthly compensation and mode of payment; allowable leave, rest days and 
holidays; working hours, rest periods and day-off 
living quarters, ahd food and medical provisions; duties and respondibilities; 


d.) 
e.) 
annual salary increases. 
Social Security System (SSS) and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation 
(Philhealth) contributions; and 
Provided, That in the case of employment of a house helper of minority 
age, said contract of employment shall be signed on his or her behalf by either 
parent or legal guardian, with the express consent of the minor. 
,SEC. 5. Medical Certificate as Pre-requisite for Employment. - A medical certificate 
attesting to the physical and mental fitness of the household helper must be secured 
from a licensed physician as a pre-requisite for employment, the cost of which shall be 
for the account of the employer. 
1 
SEC. 6. Minimum Wage. - The minimum compensation of househelpers shall not 
be less than the following rates: 
a. 
b. 
c. 
One thousand fiQe hundred pesos (P1,500.00) a month for those employed in 
the National Capital Region 
One thousand two hundred pesos (P1,200.00) a month for those employed in 
other chartered cities and first class municipalities; and 
One thousand pesos (P1,OOO.OO) a month for those employed in other 
municipalities. 
The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWI'BS) may 
determine and adjust, from time to time, the appropriate minimum wage rates of 
household helpers. 
SEC. 7. Payment of Wages. - Wages shall be paid in cash directly to the 
household helper, at least once every two (2) weeks or twice a month. No deductions 
from said wages shall he made by the employer except those allowed by law. The 
express written consent of the household helper shall first be secured before any 
deduction from his or her wages is made. 
SEC. 8. Payment of13th Monfh Pay. All household helpers shall be entitred to 13th 
month pay equivalent to one (1) month basic salary, which shall be payable not later 
than December 24 of every year. 
SEC. 9. Membership in the Social Security System. (SSS). All household helpers shall 
be covered by the Social Security System (SSS) and be entitled to all the 5mefits in 
accordance with the pertinent provisions of Republic Act No. 11 61, as amended. 
The SSS shall implement an outreach program that will facilitate the remittance 
of SSS contributions of the househelper and employer through the most feasible means. 
This outreach program shall be conceptualized and initiated within one (1) year from 
the date of effectivity of this Act. 
SEC. 10. Membevship in tie Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth). . - 
All house helpers shall be covered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation 
(Philhealth) in accordance with its guidelines and be entitled to all the benefits ,provided 
by law. 
SEC. 11. Normal Hours of Work. The normal hours of work of a house 'helper or 
kasambahay shall not exceed ten (10) hours a day, exclusive of breaks of one (1) hour 
each for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Any work done by the house helper beyond the 


normal hours of work shall be duly compensated by the employer. In addition, the 
household helper shall be allowed at least eight (8) hours of continuous rest per day. 
SEC. 12. Regular Working Days. - AI1 household helpers shall render'work for 
not more than six (6) consecutive days per week. While the specific day of the week set 
aside as rest day for the house helper may be stipulated in the employment contract, the 
same may be changed for another day of the week upon the mutual agreement of the 
employer and the household helper as the exigencies of the household may dictate: 
Provided, That the employer shall respect the preference of the house helper for his or 
her weekly rest day when said preference is based on religious grounds. 
SEC. 13. Vacation Leave. - All house helpers, who have rendered one (1) year of 
service, shall be entitled to an annual fourteen (14) days vacation leave with pay: 
Provided, That any unused portion of said vacation leave shall not: be cumulative or 
shall not be carried over to the next succeeding years. 
SEC. 14. Maternity and Paternity Leave Benefits. - All female house helpers who 
have rendered an aggregate length of service of two (2) years or more shall, in addition 
to the leave granted them, be entitled to maternity leave in accordance with Sec. 14-A of 
Republic Act No. 8282, otherwise known as the "Social Security Act of 1997". . 
A paternity leave of seven (7) days with pay shall be granted to all married male 
household helpers when their legitimate spouses deliver a child or suffer a miscarriage. 
SEC. 15. Deployment Expenses. - Deployment expenses of household helpers, 
which may include transportation and agency fees, shall be shouldered by the 
employer. 
SEC. 16. Automatic Salary Increases. - The contract of employment executed by 
and between the employer and the household helper shall include a provision for an 
annual salary increase indicating the amount determined by mutual agreement of the 
parties. 
SEC. 17. Ternination of Service. - If the period for household service is fixed, 
neither the employer nor .'the house helper may terminate the contract 6efore the 
expiration of the term, except for just cause. If the house helper i s  unjustly dismissed, he 
or she shall be paid the compensation already earned plus the equivalent of fifteen (15) 
days work by way of indemnity. If the house helper leaves without justifiable Teason, he 
or she shall forfeit any unpaid salary due him or her not exceeding the equivalent 
fifteen (15) days of work. 
ARTICLE 3 
RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES OF HOUSEHOLD HELPERS 
SEC. 18. Standard of Treatment. - The employer and the other members of the 
household shall, at all times, treat the house helper in a just and humane manner. 
Abusive language, physical violence or any act which debases the dignity of a person 
shall not be used against a house helper. 
SEC. 19. Extent of Duty. - The employer may request th- house helper to 
perform a task outside his or her household for the benefit of another with the consent 
of the house helper and payment of just compensation. 


SEC. 20. Prohibition on Labor Sub-conhacting. --- The employer shall be prohibited 
from sub-contracting the service of the household helper to any third party or 
household. 
SEC 21. Prohibition on Recruitment and Finder’s Fees. - Regardless of whether the 
household helper was sourced either through an employment agency or a third party, 
said house helper shall neither be charged nor levied a share in the recruitment fees or 
finder’s fees by the said employment agency or third party. 
SEC. 22. Basic Necessities . - In a manner befitting the means of a responsible 
head of the family, the homeowner shall provide for the basic necessities of the 
household helper. These shall include: 
a.) 
b.) 
c.) 
Food - at least three (3) adequate meals per day; 
Shelter - provision of humane sleeping arrangements that ensure 
privacy and safety of the household helper; and 
Medical - the advance of the necessary funds to cover work- 
relatedillnesses or injuries sustained by the household helper, to be 
reimbursed by the latter from the proceeds of the benefits accruing 
from his or her membership with the SSS. 
In no instance shall the employer be allowed to withdraw or hold in abeyance 
the Provision of these basic necessities as punishment or disciplinary action meted out 
to the house helper. 
SEC. 23. Guarantee of Household Helper Privacy. The employer shall respect the 
privacy of the household helper during the course of the latter’s rest periods. The house 
helper’s right to privacy shall extend to any and all forms of personal communications, 
including letters, correspondence, telephone calls, and text messages. 
SEC. 24. Access to Outside Communication. The employer shall grant the house 
helper access to outside communication, either through letters or telephone, especially 
in cases of personal or family emergency. Further, the employer shall guarantee the 
house helper access to the household’s private telephone for the purpose of 
communicating with the latter‘s family at least once a week Provided, That the cost 
incurred for long distance and overseas telephone bills shall be shouldered by the 
household helper. 
SEC. 25. Prohibition on Bonded labor. - It shall be prohibited for the eniployer to 
use future services of the house helper as collateral for a loan or advance made by the 
latter. Likewise, it shall be prohibited for the employer to bind the household helper for 
his or her continuous employment as a form of payment for any loan or advance made 
by the latter. Should a household helper with an outstanding loan or advance decide to 
unilaterally terminate the contract of employment, he or she shall pay said loan or 
advance under terms and conditions specified in a duly-executed promissory note 
between the parties. 
SEC. 26. Access to Lazofil Third-Party Mediation. - Upon employment, the 
employer shall furnish the house helper with the names, addresses and telephone 
numbers of the following: 


a.) 
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the 
Regional Offices of the DOLE having jurisdiction over the area of 
employment of the household helper 
b.) 
Barangay office which has jurisdiction over the household; and 
c.) 
Duly-registered non-government organizations accredited to 
mediate in employee-employer disputes involving house helpers 
and their employers. 
The employer shaIl further guarantee the house helper access to all means of 
communication to be able to contact any of the above institutions 
ARTICLE 4 
SPECIAL RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES OF HOUSEHOLD HELPERS 
OF MINORITY AGE 
SEC. 27. Allowable Ernploynzenf of Household Helpers of Minority Age. Children 
fifteen (15) years of age up to seventeen (17) years of age may he employed as 
household helpers. In no Ir1stance shall children below fifteen (15) years of age be 
employed as household helpers. 
SEC. 28. Children ofHousekold helpers. --- Unless expressly employed as household 
helpers under a duly executed contract of employment, children of household helpers 
who live with their parents at the employer’s residence or those whose sustenance or 
education is being provided for by the homeowner, shall not be considered as 
household helpers themselves. 
SEC. 29. Normal Hours ofwork. - Household helpers of minority age shall not be 
allowed to render work for more than ten (10) hours a day and more than five (5) days 
per week. He or she shall be allowed breaks of not less than one (1) hour each for 
breakfast, lunch and dinner. 
SEC. 30. Prohibition on Night Work. - Household helpers of minority age shall 
not be allowed to render work between ten o’clock in the evening and six o’clock in the 
morning of the following day. 
SEC. 31. Prohibition on Work fo be Undertaken. - Household helpers of minority 
age shall not be allowed to render work beyond their mental and physical capabilities. 
SEC. 32. Pmlzibitioiz on Hazardous work, Activities, Conditions andor Un&rfakings. 
- Household helpers of minority age shall not be employed in any hazardous work, 
activity or undertaking, and neither shall he or she be exposed to hazardous working 
conditions. 
SEC. 33. Minimum Wage. - Household helpers of minority age shall be paid the 
same minimum wage rates prescribed in this Act. 
SEC. 34. Right offhe Child to Wages Earned. - Any and all wages, remuneration or 
compensation earned by a household helper of minority age during the period of his or 
her employment shall be paid by the employer directly to the former. 
No parent, guardian or relative shall be allowed to borrow against the 
compensation of the household helper of minority age without the express written 


a,) 
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the 
Regional Offices of the DOLE having jurisdiction over the area of 
employment of the household helper 
b.) 
Barangay office which has jurisdiction over the household; and 
c.) 
Duly-registered non-government organizations accredited to 
mediate in employee-employer disputes involving house helpers 
and their employers. 
The employer shall *further guarantee the house helper access to all means of 
communication to be able to contact any of the above institutions 
ARTICLE 4 
OF MINORITY AGE 
SPECIAL RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES OF HOUSEHOLD HELPERS 
SEC. 27. Allozuable Employment of Household Hdpers of Minority Age. . Children 
fifteen (15) years of age up to seventeen (17) years of age may he employed as 
household helpers. In no instance shall children below fifteen (15) years of age be 
employed as household helpers. 
.
.
 
SEC. 28. Children ofHousehoZd helpers. --- Unless expressly employed as household 
helpers under a duly executed contract of employment, children of househoid helpers 
who live with their parents at the employer’s residence or those whose sustenance or 
education is being provided for by the homeowner, shall not be considered as 
household helpers themselves. 
SEC. 29. Normal HOUFS 
ofwork. - Household helpers of minority age shall not be 
allowed to render work for more than ten (10) hours a day and more’than five (5) days 
per week. He or she shall be allowed breaks of not less than one (1) hour each for 
breakfast, lunch and dinner. 
SEC. 30. Prohibition on Night Work. - Household helpers of minority age shall 
not be allowed to render work between ten o’clock in the evening and six o’clock in the 
morning of the following day. 
SEC. 31. Prohibition on Work to be Undertaken. - Household helpers of, minority 
age shall not be allowed to render work beyond their mental and physical capabilities. 
SEC. 32. Pvohibition on Hazardous Work, Activifies, Conditions and/or Undertakings. 
- Household helpers of minority age shaII not be employed in any hazardous work, 
activity or undertaking, and neither shall he or she be exposed to hazardous working 
conditions. 
SEC. 33. Minimum Wage. - Household helpers of minority age shall be paid the 
same minimum wage ratesprescribed in this Act. 
SEC. 34. Right ofthe Child to Wages Earned. - Any and all wages, remuneration or 
compensation earned by a household helper of minority age during the period of his or 
her employment shall be paid by the employer directly to the former. 
No parent, guardian or relative shall be allowed to borrow against the 
compensation of the household helper of minority age without the express written 


consent of the latter. Neither shall the minor be made to render work in payment of a 
loan or liability incurred-by a parent, guardian or relative. 
SEC. 35. Rescue of Abused Household Helpers of Minority Age. - Upon report or 
discovery of abuse and exploitation of a house helper of minority age, the Department 
of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in collaboration with the Department of 
Labor and Employment (DOLE), shall immediately rescue the said minor. The rescued 
minor shall be supervised and escorted by a social worker back to his or her parent, 
legal guardian or relatives: The cost of such operation shall be borne by the agency 
which recruited or deployed the house helper or, in its absence, the DSWD. The 
Secretary of Labor and Employment and the Secretary of Social Welfare and 
Development shall formulate the rules and regulations governing swh rescue 
operation. 
SEC. 36. Protective Custody and Placement of Rescued Household Helpers of Minority 
Age. Should a rescued household helper of minority age refuse to be brought back to his 
or her parent, legal guardian or relatives, against the recommendation of the DOLE and 
the DSWD, said household helper may be placed under the protective custody and care 
of the DSWD or that of a duly- recognized and accredited non-government 
organization, or placed in a suitable household for employment. 
ARTICLE 5 
RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES OF SELF-EMPLOYED, 
PART-TIME OR DAY-TO-DAY HOUSEHOLD HELPERS 
SEC. 37. Exclusivity' Clause. - For the purpose of this Act, the rights and 
privileges of .self-employed workers working as part-time or day-to-day household 
helpers shall be limited to the provisions of this Article. 
SEC. 38. Treatment of the Household Helper. - The homeowner as well as the 
members of the household, shall treat the household helper in a just and humane 
manner. In no instance shall abusive language, physical violence or any act which 
debases, degrades or demeans the intrinsic worth and dignity of the household helper 
as a human being be used against the latter. 
SEC. 39. Scope of Work to be Undertaken. - Prior to the commencement of any 
work to be undertaken by the household helper, both the employer and the household 
helper shall mutually agree on the scope of work, the period of time within which the 
work must be completed, the amount of compensation to be paid and the manner by 
which the compensation shall 'be made. 
SEC. 40. Paymentfor Work. - Unless the parties had agreed otherwise prior to the 
commencement of the work, comiensation for work completed, to the satisfaction of 
the employer, shall.be in* the form of cash paid directly by the employer to the 
household helper immediately upon completion of the work. 
Where the method of payment of wages agreed upon by the employer and the 
household helper is on a piece or output basis, the rates shall be such that ~i7i!l assure 
the household helper of the minimum monthly or the equivalent daily rate as.provided 
in this Act. 
SEC. 41. Normal Hours of Work. - The period of time within which the work 
must be completed by the household helper shall be mutually agreed upon by the 


parties prior to the commencement of the work; Provided, That the household helper 
shall not be required to render work for a period longer than ten (10) hours per day, 
exclusive of breaks of one (1) hour each for meals. 
SEC. 42. Provision for Free Meals. - The employer shall provide the household 
helper with meals free of charge during the hours of work. 
SEC 43. Medical Expenses. - AII medical expenses incurred for work-related 
illnesses contracted or injuties sustained by the household helper shall be shouldered 
by the employer. 
ARTICLE 6 
SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR KASAMBAHAY EDUCATION 
SEC. 44. Opportunity for Self-Improvement. - The employer shall allow the 
household helper who is eighteen (18) years of age or above to pursue his or her 
educdtion. The cost of such education shall be shouldered by the household helper. 
Should the household helper decide to pursue his or her education, the employer 
shall adjust the work schedule in accordance with the former’s class schedule. In no 
case shall the household helper’s compensation be adjusted on account of his or her 
pursuit of education. 
SEC. 45. Access to Education and Training. - No household helper of minority age 
shall be deprived of formal or non-formal education. In cases where*household helpers 
of minority age are allowed to be employed, the employer shall allow said household 
helper access to public prirhary, secondary or vocational education. Said employer may 
advance all or part of the expenses incidental to the pursuit of said education. The 
employer shall be reimbursed out of deductions from the household helper’s monthly 
compensation. Said deductions shall, at all times, be no greater than tweny percent 
(20%) of the minor’s monthly compensation. 
Should the household helper of minority age decide to pursue his or her 
education, the employer shall adjust his or her work schedule in accordance with the 
former’s class schedule: Provided, That the adjusted schedule shall in no way hamper 
the completion of the former’s assigned tasks to the satisfaction of the employer. 
In no case shall the household helper suffer any diminution in compensation on account 
of his or her pursuit of education. 
SEC. 46. Employer Initiatives for Skills Development. - Should the employer decide 
to improve the inherent skills of the household helper through training, the employer 
shall bear the cost and expenses of said training. The time spent by the household 
helper in attending the said training, including the time spent goirg to and from the 
training venue, shall be considered as part of the household helper’s hours of work. 
ARTICLE 7 
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 
SEC. 47. Household Helper Day. - The date of signing into law of this Act by the 
President of the Republic shall be designated as the ”Araw ng mga Kasambakay,” a 
special non-working holiday with pay for household helpers, and shall be 
commemorated as such annually. 


SEC. 48. Emergency Seruices. - The Department of Social Welfare and 
Development (DSWD) shall, within a period of one (1) year from the effectivity of this 
Act, institute a program designed specifically to provide emergency services to all 
household helpers in need of custody, shelter, healing, or medical, psychological, legal 
and rehabilitative services. 
SEC. 49. Penal Provisions. - Any violation of the provisions of this Act shall be 
punished with a fine of not less than Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00), nor more than 
Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00), or imprisonment of not less than three (3) months 
nor more than three (3) years, or both such fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of 
the court. 
SEC. 50. Transitory Provisions. - All existing arrangements between employers 
and their household .helpers shall conform to the minimum standards set by this Batas 
Kasambahay within a period of sixty (60) days after its effectivity: Provided, :however, 
That no household helper already enjoying benefits and privileges above those 
stipulated in this Act shall suffer any diminution or substitution thereof. 
SEC. 51. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary of Labor and 
Employment and the Secretary of Social Welfare and Development and other concerned 
agencies, shall, within'one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate the 
necessary ruIes and regulations to effectively implement the same. 
SEC. 51. %parability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is. declared 
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the vaKdity and effectivity of 'the other 
provisions hereof. 
SEC. 52. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, issuances, rules 
and regulations, or parts thereof, not consistent with the provisions of this Act are 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 53. Efectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of national 
circulation. 
Approved,