Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

THIRTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1606

INTRODUCED BY THE HONORABLE JACK ENRILE

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The Magna Carta for Household Helpers or the 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 household helper.

It is 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 houschold 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 protective
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 efficient and effective labor multipliers within the purview of the
macro-economic perspective. Furthermore, houschold 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.


The proposed Batas Kasambahay secks 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 Kasambahay
will fully 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 interest of our
fellow Filipinos are enacted by this august body.

In view of the foregoing, the timely approval of the Batas Kasambahay is earnestly sought.

ILE


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

THIRTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 160 6

INTRODUCED BY THE HONORABLE JACK ENRILE

AN ACT
INSTITUTING POLICIES GOVERNING THE HOUSEHOLD EMPLOYMENT
INDUSTRY, ESTABLISHING A STANDARD OF PROTECTION AND
PROMOTING THE WELFARE OF HOUSEHOLD HELPERS

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

ARTICLE 1
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 of Policies. - It is the declared policy of the State to value the
dignity of every person and guarantee full respect for human rights.

Recognizing the dignity of honest labor and the nobility of the household helper
industry, the State shall nurture and protect the interest of the household helpers by ensuring
that effective mechanisms are instituted so that their rights and benefits are protected.

Recognizing the need to protect working women, the State shall provide them with safe
and healthful working conditions, and take particular account of their maternal functions and
needs. Further recognizing the vulnerabilities of women household helpers, the State shall
ensure that the formulation and implementation of policies and programs affecting them shall
be gender sensitive.

Finally, in line with the above declarations, the State shall cooperate, in a spirit of trust
and mutual respect, with duly recognized legitimate non-governmental organizations in the

protection of household helpers and in the promotion of their welfare.


SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act, the term:

(a) “Household helper,” “house helper” or “kasambahay” refers to any person who
renders domestic or household services exclusively to an employer as family driver,
babysitter, gardener, cook, nursemaid or yaya, or laundry woman. The term “kasambahay”
or “kasama sa bahay” shall be used in lieu of “katulong” to properly signify the worth of the
labor of house helpers.

(6) “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.

(©) “Household helper of minority age” or “batang kasambahay” 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 helper. For purposes of this Act, the employer shall be the one identified to be the head
of the family or any member of the household designated by the head of the family to manage
the general housekeeping functions for the family.

(©) “Household” refers to the immediate members of the family and/or the occupants of
the house that are directly provided services by the house helper.

(0 “Hours of work” refers 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 house helper 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 house helper
‘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 house helper 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. 1. 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 duly signed and notarized.
Each party must have a copy of the said contract.

‘A contract of employment shall include the following provisions:

(@) period of employment which shall not exceed two (2) years for the initial contract;
thereafter it may be renewed annually;

(b) monthly compensation and mode of payment;

(©) allowable leave, rest days and holidays;

(a) working hours, rest periods and day-off,

(e) living quarters, food and medical provisions;

(f) duties and responsibilities;

(® Social Security System (SSS) and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Phil

health) contributions; and


(h) annual salary increases.
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. 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.

SEC. 3. Minimum Wage. ~The minimum compensation of house helpers shall not be
less than the following rates:

(a) One thousand five hundred pesos (P1,500.00) a month for those employed in the
National Capital Region;

(b) 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 (P1,000,00) a month for those employed in other
municipalities.

The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs) may determine and

adjust, from time to time, the appropriate minimum wage rates of household helpers.

SEC. 4. 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 be made by the employer except those allowed by law. The expressed written consent
of the household helper shall first be secured before any deduction from his or her wages is
made.

SEC. 5. Payment of 13" Month Pay. — All household helpers shall be entitled to a 13"
month pay equivalent to one (1) month basic salary, which shall be payable not later than

December 24 of every year.

SEC. 6. Membership in the Social Security System (SSS). - All houschold helpers shall
be covered by the SSS and be entitled to all the benefits in accordance with the pertinent
provisions of Republic Act No. 1161, as amended.

The SSS shall implement an outreach program that will facilitate the remittance of SSS

contributions of the house helper 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. 7. Membership in the 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. 8. 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. 9. Regular Working Days. ~ All 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. 10. 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

cover to the next succeeding years.

SEC. 11. Maternity and Paternity Leave Benefits. ~ All female house helpers who have
rendered an ageregate 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 Section 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. 12. Deployment Expenses. - Deployment expenses of household helpers, which
may include transportation and agency fees, shall be shouldered by the employer.


SEC. 13. Termination of Service. - If the period for household service is fixed, neither
the employer nor the house helper may terminate the contract before the expiration of the
term, except for just cause. If the house helper is 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 helpar leaves without justifiable reason, 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. 1. 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. 2. Extent of Duty. - The employer may request the 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. 3. Prohibition on Labor Sub-contracting. - The employer shall be prohibited

from sub-contracting the service of the household helper to any third party or household.

SEC. 4. 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. 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:

(a) Food ~ at least three (3) adequate meals per day;

(b) 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-related illnesses 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. 6. 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. 7. 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. 8. Prohibition on Bonded Labor. ~ It shall be prohibited for the employer 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. 9. Access to Lawful 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

(©) Duly registered nongovernment 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

SPECIAL RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES OF HOUSEHOLD
HELPERS OF MINORITY AGE

SEC. 1. Allowable Employment of Household Helpers of Minority Age. ~ Children
fifteen (15) years of age 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.

SEC. 2. Children of Household 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. 3. Normal Hours of Work. — 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 ot she shall be allowed breaks of not less than one (1) hour each for breakfast,
lunch and dinner.

SEC. 4. 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. 5. 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. 6. Prohibition on Hazardous Work, Acti
Household helpers of minority age shall not be employed in any hazardous work, activity or

ies, Conditions and/or Undertakings. —

undertaking, and neither shall he or she be exposed to hazardous working conditions.

SEC. 7. Minimum Wage. — Household helpers of minority age shall be paid the same

minimum wage rates prescribed in this Act.

SEC. 8. Right of the 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. 9. 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 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 such rescue

operation.

SEC. 10. 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. 1. 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. 2. 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. 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 yyork, 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. 4. Payment for 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 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 will assure the
household helper of the minimum monthly or the equivalent daily rate as provided in this
Act.

SEC. 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 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. 6. Provision for Free Meals. — The employer shall provide the household helper
with meals free of charge during the hours of work.

SEC. 7. Medical Expenses. - All medical expenses incurred for work-related illnesses
contracted or injuries sustained by the household helper shall be shouldered by the employer.

ARTICLE 6
SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR KASAMBAHAY EDUCATION

SEC. 1. 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 education
The cost of such education shall be shouldered by the houschold 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. 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 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 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 twenty 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. 3. 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 going to and from the training venue, shall be
considered as part of the household helper’s hours of work.

ARTICLE 7
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SEC. 1. 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 Kasambahay”, a special
nonworking holiday with pay for household helpers, and shall be commemorated as such

annually.

SEC. 2. Emergency Services. - The Department 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. 3. 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.


Le

SEC. 4. 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. 5. 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

rules and regulations to effectively implement the same.

SEC. 6. Separability Clause. —\f any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional,

the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other provisions hereof.

SEC. 7. 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. 8. Effectivity 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,