THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
1 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
SENATE 
S.B.NO. 202 
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Introduced by Senator LUISA “LOI” P. EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Magna Carta for Household Helpers or tbe Batas Kasambahay seeks to 
institutionalize and uplift the minimum working parameters and standards of the 
household helper industry, and strives to bring this traditionally informal labor sector 
closer towards the benefits and protection accorded by law to the more formalized sectors 
of the labor force - without losing sight of the singular peculiarities traditionally inherent 
in the relationship between the employer and the household helper. 
It is a recognized fact that the institution of domestic household help is an integral 
aspect of Philippine society, deeply rooted as it is in the history and culture of the 
Filipino people. In truth and in fact, household helpers are considered to be extensions of 
the Filipino family, and not mere indentured servants. As members of the extended 
family, it is recognized that the relationship between the homeowner and the household 
helper transcends that of a simple employer-employee relationship. It is nonetheless the 
duty of the State to establish the minimum working parameters and standards that will 
ensure the protection and well-being of both employer and household helper, and to 
promote the harmonious and productive relationship between both parties. 
Beyond providing for the daily demands of the household and its maintenance, 
household helpers contribute in no inconsequential terms towards the fUrtherance of 
national economic growth and productivity. By providing their employers with more 
time for economic activities, either through entrepreneurial pursuits or as more 
productive members of the labor force, household helpers act as eficient labor 
multipliers within the purview of the macro-economic perspective. Furthermore, 
household helpers are a direct source of financial support for their dependents in the 
countryside, effectively creating significant economic well-being in the less developed 
areas of the country. 
Despite all these, household helpers have hitherto been relegated by law, custom 
and convention to the informal sector of the labor force. They have been deliberately 
excluded from several protective provisions of law relating to basic rights and privileges 
otherwise accorded traditional groups of the labor sector. Since the interaction between 
employer and household helper is confined within the walls of private residences; the 
predominantly female members of the industry are unduly exposed to physical, mental 
and sexual abuse and exploitation. Compounding the problem is the inherent timidity and 
passiveness of the household helpers themselves, who have little or no awareness of their 
basic rights and privileges. 
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The proposed Batas Kasambahay seeks to redress the grave injustice levied on 
this significant section of the labor force, by providing the basic structure that would 
uphold their dignity and protect their rights and privileges. Let it not be construed 
however, that the Batas Kasarnbahay will fblly correct the societal imbalance prevalent in 
this sector, for the circumstances are so complex and the inter-relationships so intricate. 
But we have to start somewhere. Let the Batas Kasambahay be the springboard by which 
other laws that seek to protect the interests of our fellow Filipinos are enacted by this 
august body. 
In view of the foregoing, the timely approval of the Batas Kasambahay is 
. earnestly 
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 sought. . 
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IT0 ESTRADA 
Senator 
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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THEPHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
SENATE 
S.B. NO. 3 {’? r! 
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Introduced by Senator LUISA “LOI” P. EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTING POLICIES GOVERNING THE HOUSEHOLD EMPLOYMENT 
INDUSTRY, ESTABLISEUNG A STANDARD OF PROTECTION AND 
PROMOTING THE WELFARE OF HOUSEHOLD HELPERS AND THEIR 
FAMILIES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
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 in . 
Congress assembled: 
ARTICLE I 
TITLE, POLICY, PRINCIPLES AND DEFINITIONS OF TERMS 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known and cited as the “Magna Carta 
for Household Helpers” or, preferably, as the “Batas Kasambahay”. 
Section 2. Declaratioq of State Policy and Principles. - 
a) 
It is hereby declared the policy of the State to uphold the dignity of 
its citizens, and to guarantee full respect for their human rights. 
The State recognizes the dignity of honest labor, including the 
nobility and self-respect inherent in the household helper industry. 
Hereafter, the Tagalog term ‘kasambahay’ or ‘kasama sa bahay’ 
shall be used in lieu of ‘katulong’, to properly signify the worth of 
their labor within the context of the Filipino family. 
The need to nurture and protect the interests of this hitherto 
unheralded heroes of the Philippine economy is recognized by the 
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b) 


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State, and they 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 recognizes the rights of the household helpers to be 
c) 
protected from abuse, economic exploitation and from performing 
work that is hazardous to their physical, mental and spiritual 
health. The State fbrther 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: 
d) 
It is the policy of the State to protect working women by providing 
safe and healthful working conditions, and to take particular 
account of their maternal hnctions and needs. ’ It is recognized by 
the State that the household helper industry is predominantly 
composed of women and, as such, the State shall promote gender- 
sensitive measures in the formulation and implementation of 
policies and programs affecting the household helper industry, and 
to ensure the proper dissemination of the same; and 
Duly recognized non-government organizations are partners of the 
State in the protection of household helpers and in the promotion 
of their welfare. The State shall cooperate with them in a spirit of 
trust and mutual respect. 
e) 
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Section 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the term: 
a) 
“ Household Helper” or “kasambahay” - shall refer to any person, 
whether male or female, who is to be engaged, is engaged or has 
been engaged locally in a salaried capacity under a hll-time basis 


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and paid directly by the homeowner/employer, undertaking tasks 
ascribed as normal household chores within a specific household. 
The term includes maids, cooks, houseboys, family drivers and 
“yayas” who provide daily service to a single, specific household, 
either on a live-in or live-out basis; 
b) 
“Self-employed worker working as household helper” - shall refer 
to any person, whether male or female, who is to be engaged, is 
engaged or has been engaged locally and paid directly by the 
homeowner/employer to provide services to either a single or a 
number of households on a contractual or day-to-day basis. The 
term includes gardeners, laundry women and household helpers 
hired on a day-to-day basis, provided that they do not report for 
work to a single household for four (4) days a week or more, else 
they shall be classified as household helpers or kasambahays; 
c) 
“Household helpers of minority age” - or the “batang 
kasambahay” shall refer to children fifteen (15) years up to 
seventeen (17) years of age who are engaged as household helpers 
under a valid contract of employment; 
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d) 
“Homeowner7’ or “Employer” - shall refer to a natural person who 
is identified to be the head of the family of the particular household 
for which the household helper is rendering service, or any 
member of the household designated by the head of the family to 
manage the general housekeeping hnctions for the family; 
e) 
“Household” - shall refer to the immediate members of the family 
that are directly being provided for by the head of the said family; 
f) 
“Residence” - shall include the various residences being kept by 
the homeownerlemployer, either as primary or secondary places of 
domicile; 
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g) 
“Working hours” - shall refer to the period of time within which 
the household helper is required to be on call to perform any and 
all tasks that may be designated, regardless of whether there are 
actual tasks being undertaken; 
“Deployment expenses” - shall consist of only such expenses as 
are directly attendant to the relocation or transfer of the household 
helper fkom hidher place of origin to the place of work, including 
transportation costs, finder’s fees or agency fees if said household 
worker was sourced through third parties or an employment 
agency. Advances or loans made by the household helper are not 
included in the definition of deployment expenses. 
“Hazardous work, undertaking, activity or condition” - shall refer 
to any activity or circumstances where the household helper is 
exposed to any risk which constitutes an imminent danger to 
h) 
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‘ hidher health and safety, such as but not limited to: 
any work, employment or activity which exposes the 
household helper to physical, emotional or sexual abuse; 
any work which involves manual handling or transport of 
heavy loads; 
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; 
any work which requires the household helper to render 
services for long periods of time or during late nights; 
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; 
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6) 
any use, procuring or offering of the household helper for 
prostitution or pornography; 
any use, procuring or offering of the household helper for 
the commission of any offense or crime, particularly for the 
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7) 
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production and trafficking of narcotics drugs and 
substances as defined in the Dangerous Drugs Act; 
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 household 
helper; and 
any other type of work, activity, condition or undertaking 
that may hereinafier be defined as hazardous by the 
Department of Labor and Employment. 
8) 
9) 
j) 
“Gender sensitivity” - refers to the recognized inequalities and 
differences between men and women in society, and a commitment 
to address issues with concern for the respective interests of both 
genders. 
ApTICLE 2 
TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR EMPLOYMENT 
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Section 1. Employment Contract. - All household working arrangements or 
agreements shall be covered by a written employment contract, in a language or dialect 
understood by both homeowner and household helper, duly signed by both contracting 
parties. Each contracting party shall be provided with a full set of the duly signed 
employment contract, the basic provisions of which shall include the following: 
a) 
b) 
period of employment, which shall not exceed two (2) years; 
monthly compensation and mode of payment; 
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c) 
annual salary increases; 
d) 
e) 
computation of leave deductions; 
f) 
duties and responsibilities; 
g) 
computation of Social Security System (SSS) and Philhealth contributions; 
working hours and day-off schedule; 
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h) 
living quarters or sleeping arrangements. 
In cases wherein employment of household helpers of minority age are allowed 
hereunder, said employment contract shall be signed on his or her behalf by either parent 
or legal guardian, with the express written consent of said minor. 
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Section 2. 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. 
Section 3. Medical Wage. - Subparagraphs (l), (2) and (3) of Article 143 of 
Presidential Decree No. 442, as amended, otherwise known as the “Labor Code of the 
Philippines” are hereby amended to read as follows: 
“Article 143. 
following minimum wage rates: 
Minimum wage - (a) Househelpers shall be paid the 
(1) 
One Thousand Five Hundred Pesos (P1,500.00) a month for 
household helpers working in the National Capital Region; 
One Thousand Two Hundred Pesos (P1,200.00) a month‘ for 
(2) 
household helpers working in chart$& 
cities and first class 
municipalities; and 
One Thousand Pesos (P1,OO.OO) a month for household helpers 
working in other municipalities, 
(3) 
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Section 4. Payment of Wages. - Payment of wages shall be made directly to the 
household helper in cash, at least once every two (2) weeks or twice a month. No 
deductions from said wages shall be made by the employer except those provided by law. 
The express written consent of the household helper shall first be secured before any 
deduction f?om hidher wages is made. 
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Section 5. Ehirteenth (13‘9 Month Pqv. - Revising for the purpose Guideline No. 
2 of the Revised Guidelines on the Implementation of the Thirteenth Month Pay Law (16 
November 1987), all household helpers shall be entitled to a thirteenth (13*) month pay 
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equivalent to one (1) month’s basic salary. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 1 
of Memorandum No. 28, said thirteenth (13*) month pay shall be paid to household 
helpers not later than the 16h of December of every year. 
Section 6. Membership in the Social Security System (SSS). - All household 
helpers, regardless of age and compensation levels, shall be covered by the Social 
Security System (SSS) and be entitled to all the benefits provided under Republic Act 
No. 1161, as amended. The employers of said household helpers shall pay for the 
employer’s share of the aforementioned SSS contribution without deducting the same 
from the monthly compensation of the household helpers. 
For this purpose, the Social Security System (SSS) is hereby required to 
implement an outreach program that will facilitate the remittance of SSS contributions 
by either the homeowners or the household helpers by whatever means deemed feasible. 
Said outreach program should be conceptualized and initiated within a period of one (1) 
year from the date of effectivity of this Act. 
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Section 7. 
Membership in the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation 
Philhealth). - All household helpers, regardless of age and compensation levels, shall 
be covered under the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth), and be 
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entitled to all the benefits provided for under the law. The employer of said household 
helper shall pay for the employer’s share of the aforementioned Philhealth, without 
deducting the same from the monthly compensation of the household helper. 
a 
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Section 8. Normal Hours of Work. - Cognizant of the peculiarities of the 
relationship between the employer and the household helper, the normal hours of work of 
kasambahays shall be set at ten (10) hours per day, exclusive of one (1) hour breaks each 
for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Any work done by the household helper beyond the 
normal hours of work per day shall be duly compensated for by the employer. 
Furthermore, the household helper shall be allowed at least eight (8) hours of continuous 
rest per day. 
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Section 9. Regular Working Days. - No household helper shall render work for 
more than six (6) days per week. While the specific day of the week set aside as rest day 
for the household 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. 
Section 10. Vacation Leaves. - All household helpers shall be entitled to a 
fourteen (14) day vacation leave with pay, in addition to the one (1) day per week 
designated as the rest day. Said leave may only commence at the end of the first year of 
employment, and shall not cumulate from year to year. 
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Section 11. Maternity Benefits. - All female householu workers shall be entitled 
to maternity benefits pursuant to Article 133 of the Labor Code of the Philippines. 
Section 12. 
Deployment Expenses. - 
Deployment expenses of domestic 
household workers, including transportation and agency fees, shall be for the account of 
the employer. 
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Section 13. Automatic SaZav Increases. - The contract of employment executed 
by and between the employer and the household helper shall provide for an annual salary 
increase, the amount of which shall be determined by mutual agreement of the parties. 
Section 14. Pre-Termination of Contract. - The employer may, at his or her own 
discretion, terminate the services of the household helper, Provided, that said employer 
provides the household helper with at least fiReen (15) days notice of termination and 
termination pay equivalent to at least one half (1/2) month’s salary. In lieu of the fifteen 
(1 5) day notice of termination, the employer may immediately terminate the services of 
the household helper; Provided, that said employer provides the household helper 
termination pay equivalent to one (1) month’s salary. 
I 
The employer may, for-valid or just cause or loss of confidence, terminate. the 
services of the household helper prior to the expiration of the contract without 
indemnifying the latter with termination pay. 
Should the household helper decide, on hidher own volition, to unilaterally 
leave the household of employment prior to the expiration of the contract period, said 
household helper shall forfeit any separation pay that may be due. 
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ARTICLE 3 
RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES OF HOUSEHOLD HELPERS 
Section 1. Standard of Treahent. - The homeowner and the members of the 
household shall, at all times, 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 upon the latter. 
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Section 2. Extent ofDuty. - The homeowner shall not require the household 
helper to perform any task or work outside the household of employment for the service 
or benefit of another household without the latter’s consent and payment of just 
compensation. 
Section 3. Prohibition on Labor Sub-Contracting. - In no instance shall the 
employer sub-contract the services of the household helper to any third party or 
household, unless such activity falls within the purview of an employment agency 
arrangement for which the necessary permits and licenses had been priorly secured. 
Section 4. Prohibition on Recruitment and Finders Fees. - Regardless of 
whether the household helper was sourced either through an employment agency or a 
third party, said household helper shall neither be charged nor levied a share in the 
recruitment fees or finder’s fees by the aforementioned employment agency or third 
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Section 5. 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: 
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(a) 
Food - at least three (3) meals a day; 
(b) 
Shelter - provision of humane sleeping arrangements that ensure 
privacy and safety of the household helper; 
(c) 
Medical - all medical expenses incurred for work-related illnesses 
or injuries sustained by the household helper shall be for the 
account of the employer; otherwise, the employer shall bear fifty 
percent (50%) of the expenses for non-work-related illnesses or 
injuries \, while the household helper shall bear the other half. 
Said household helper’s share, however, shall be advanced by the 
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employer at the time the medical expenses are incurred. The 
employer shall be reimbursed out of deductions from the 
household helper’s monthly compensation which shall, at all’times; 
be no greater than fifty percent (50%) of the latter’s monthly 
compensation. 
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 to be meted out to the household 
worker. 
Section 6. 
Guarantee to Household Helper Privacy. - The employer shall 
respect the privacy of the household helper during the course of the latter’s rest periods. 
The household helper’s right to privacy shall extend to any and all forms of personal 
communications, including letters or correspondence issued or received by the household 
helper, and allowed communications coursed through the private telephone of the 
household. 
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Section 7. Access to Outside Communication. - The employer shall allow the 
household helper access to outside communication, both through letters or the private 
telephone of the household, specially in instances of the household helper’s personal or 
family emergencies. Further, the employer shall guarantee access by the household 
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helper to the private telephone of the household for the purpose of communicating with 
the latter’s family at least once a week; Provided that costs incurred in making the 
telephone call shall be for the account of the household helper. 
Section 8. Prohibition on Bonded Labor. - No household helper shall be 
allowed to use hidher fbture services as collateral for any loan or advances made or to be 
made by said household helper with the employer. Likewise, no employer shall be 
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allowed to bind the household helper to hidher continued employee as a form of payment 
for any loan or advances which the household helper may have made with the employer. 
Should a household helper with an outstanding loan or advance decide to unilaterally 
terminate the contract of employment, said loan or advance shall be paid by the 
household helper to the employer under terms and conditions specified in a duly executed 
promissory note between the pa&es. 
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Section 9. Access to Lawful l%ird-Party Mediation. - Upon employment, the 
household helper shall be provided by the employer with the names, addresses and 
telephone numbers of the designated liaison officials of the following: 
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a) 
the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE); 
b) 
c) 
duly registered non-government organizations accredited to 
mediate in employer-employee disputes involving employers and 
household helpers. 
the Barangay ofice of the household helper’s place of work; and 
The homeowner shall further guarantee the household helper access to all means 
of communication for the purpose of contracting any of the above-enumerated 
institutions. 
Section 10. 
Inter-Agency Networking. - The Department of Labor and 
Employment (DOLE) shall provide for and lead the inter-agency networking system 
among the different departments and instrumentalities of government, should the same 
be required in the continuing efforts to protect the interests, rights and privileges of 
household helpers. 
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ARTICLE 4 
SPECIAL RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES OF 
HOUSEHOLD HELPERS OF MINORITY AGE 
Section 1. Allowable Employment of Household Helpers of Minority Age. - 
Children fifteen (15) years up to seventeen (17) years of age may be employed as 
household helpers. In no instance shall children below fifteen (15’) years of age be 
employed as household helpers. 
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Section 2. 
Children of Household Hekers. - 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. 
Section 3. Normal Hours of Work for Household Helpers of Minortiy Age. - No 
household helper of minority age shall be allowed to render work for more than ten (10) 
hours a day, five (5) days per week, exclusive of one (1) hour breaks each for breakfast, 
lunch and dinner. 
Section 4. Prohibition on Night Work. - No household helper of minority age 
shall be allowed to render work between ten o’clock in the evening and six o’clock in the 
morning of the following day. 
Section 5. Prohibition on Work to be Undertaken. - No household helper of 
minority age shall be allowed to render work beyond their mental and physical 
capabilities. 
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Section 6. Prohibition on Hazardous Work, Activities, Conditions an#or 
undertakzngs. - No household helper of minority age shall be employed in any hazardous 
work, activity or undertaking, and neither shall he/she be exposed to hazardous working 
conditions. 
Section 7. Minimum Wage. - No household helper of minority age, shall be 
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deprived of the minimum wage mandated in this Batas Kasambahay. 
Section 8. Right of the Child to Wages Earned - All employers shall pay directly 
to the household helper of minority age, any and all wages, remuneration or 
compensation earned by said minor during the period of his employment. 
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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 said household helper. Neither shall the household helper of minority age be 
made to render work in payment of a loan or liability incurred by a parent, guardian or 
relative. 
Section 9. 
Emergency Services. - The Department of Social Welfare and 
Development (DSWD) shall, within a period of one (1) year from the date of effectivity 
of this Act, institute a program designed specifically to provide emergency services to 
household helpers of minority age in need of custody, shelter, healing, or medical, 
psychological, legal and rehabilitative services. 
Section 10. Repatriation of Household Helpers of Minority Age. - 
The 
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) shall, upon the 
recommendation of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), effect the 
repatriation of household helpers of minority age who either voluntarily seek government 
protection against abuse and exploitation or upon report or discovery of the same. Said 
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household helpers shall be supervised and escorted by a social worker. The cost of such 
repatriation shall be borne by the Department of Social Welfare and Development 
(DSWD). The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) shall formulate the rules 
and regulations governing the emergency repatriation of household helpers of minority 
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age. 
For this purpose, a Repatriation Fund is hereby created and established under the 
administration and control of the Department of Social Welfare and Development 
(DSWD) in the amount of Five Million Pesos (P5,000,000.00), to be taken from the 
President’s Social Fund. Thereafter, such hnds shall be provided for in the General 
Appropriations Act from year to year. 
Section 1 1. Custoe or Re-placement of Household Helpers of Minority Age. - 
Should a household helper af minority age rehse to be repatriated against. the 
recommendation of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), said 
household helper may be placed under the custody and care of the Department of Social 
Welfare and Development (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 
WORKERS WORKING AS HOUSEHOLD HELPERS 
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Section 1. Exclzrsivity Clause. - For the purpose of this Act, the rights and 
privileges of self-employed workers working as household helpers shall be limited to the 
provisions of this Article. 
Section 2. Stanhrd of Treatment. - The homeowner, as well as the members of 
the household, shall treat the household helper in a just and humane manner. In no 
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instahce shall abusive language, physical violence or any act which debases, degrades or 
demeans the intrinsic worth and dignity of the liousehold helper as a human being be 
used upon the latter. 
Section 3. 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. 
Section 4. Payment of Work. - Unless the parties had agreed otherwise prior to 
the commencement of the work, compensation for work completed to the satisfaction of 
the employer shall be in the form of cash payment made directly by the employer to the 
household helper immediately upon completion of the work. 
Section 5 .  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’pa&ies 
prior to the commencement of the work; Provided, that the household helper shall not be 
required to render work for longer than ten (1 0) hours per day, exclusive of one (1) hour 
rest peiods each for: meal breaks. 
Section 6. Provision for Worker Meals. - The employer shall provide the 
household helper with meals during the hours of work, i.e., breakfast, should the work 
start before six o’clock in the morning; lunch, should the work start before eleven o’clock 
in the morning or end by one o’clock in the afternoon; and, dinner, should the work start 
after six o’clock in the evening or end after seven o’clock in the evening. 
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Section 7. Medical Expenses. - All medical expenses incurred for work-related 
illnesses or injuries sustained by the household helper shall be for the account of the 
employer. 
ARTICLE 6 
SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR 
KAS AMI3 AHAY EDUCATION 
Section 1. Opportuniq for Self-improvement. - The employer shall allow the 
household helper who is eighteen (18) years of age or above with the opportunity to 
pursue hidher education, at the expense of said household helper. Should the household 
helper decide to pursue hidher 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 altered on account of hidher pursuit of education. 
Section 2. 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 
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said household helper access to public primary, secondary or vocational education. Said 
employer may advance all or part of the expenses incidental to the pursuit of said 
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education. The employer shall be reimbursed out of deductions fi-om the household 
helper’s monthly compensation which shall, at all times, be no greater than fifty (50%) 
percent of the latter’s monthly compensation. 
Should the household helper of minority age decide to pursue hidher 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 altered on account of 
hidher pursuit of education. 
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Section 3. Employer Initiatives for Skills Development. - Should the employer 
decide to improve the inherent skills of the household helper through external training, 
the employer shall bear the cost and expenses of said training. The time spent by.the 
household helper during the conduct of the said training, including the time spent going 
to and coming from the training shall be counted as part of the household helper’s hour of 
work. 
ARTICLE 7 
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 
Section 1. Household Helper Day. - The date upon which the President shall 
approve this Batas Kasambahay shall be designated as the ‘Araw ng mga Kasambahay,’ a 
special non-working holidays with pay for household helpers, and shall be 
commemorated as such annually. 
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Section 2. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The department and agencies 
of government charged with the implementation of the provisions of this Batas 
Kasambahay shall, within a period of one (1) year from its date of effectivity, formulate 
rules and regulations for the purpose. 
Section 3. 
Transitory Provisions. - No household helper enjoying benefits and 
privileges in excess of those stipulated in this Batas Kasambahay shall suffer any 
diminution or substitution thereof. 
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All existing arrangements between employer and household helper shall conform 
to the minimum standards set by this Batas Kasambahay within a period of sixty (60) 
days after the date of effectivity of this Act. 
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Section 4. Penal Provisions. - Violation of any provision of this Act shall be 
punished with a fine of not less than One Thousand Pesos (Pl,OOO.OO), nor more than Ten 
Thousand Pesos (PlO,OOO.OO), 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. 
Section 5. 
Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rdes and' 
regulations, or parts thereof not consistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly. 
Section 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act, or the 
application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held unconstitutional or invalid, the 
remainder of this Act, or the application of such provisi'on or part to other persons or 
circumstances, shall not be affected thereby. 
Section 7. Effectivity Clause. - This Batas Kasambahay shall take effect after 
fifteen (15) days from its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national 
papers of general circulation, whichever comes earlier. 
Approved, 
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