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v . 
1 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
Third Regular Session 
1 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 2497 
Prepared bp the Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources 
Development in substitution oiS.B.Nos. 2O2,860,1628,1692,1ZZ2,22Z5 and 
2461 
“AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR ADDITIONAL BENEFITS AND PROTECTION TO THE 
HOUSEHELPERS THEREBY AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE ARTICLES 
141,142,143,148 AND 151 OF ClIAPTER 111 OF P.D. 442, AS AMENDED, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “THE LABOR CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES.” 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Article 141 of Presidential Decree 442, as amended, 
otherwise known as the Labor Code of the Philippines” is hereby amended to 
read as follows: 
“Article 141. Coverage- This Chapter shall apply to all persons rendering 
services in household for compensation. 
“Domestic [or household service] 
“HELPER”, 
“HOUSEHOLD 
HELPERS” OR “KASAMBAHAY” [shall mean services in the employer’s 
home which is usually necessary or desirable for the maintainance and 
enjoyment thereof and includes ministering to the personal comfort and 
convenience of the members of the employers households, including services 
of family drivers.] REFERS TO AMT PERSON, WHO RENDERS DOMESTIC 
OR HOUSEHOLD SERVICES, UNDER A FULL-TIME BASIS FOR 
COMPENSATION, TO A HOMEOWNEWEMPLOYER UNDERTAKING 
TASKS ASCRIBED AS NORMAL HOUSEHOLD CHORES WITHIN A 
SPECIFIC HOUSEHOLDS. THE TERM INCLUDES MAIDS, COOKS, 


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HOUSEBOYS, FAMILY DRIVERS AND “YAYAS” WHO PROVIDE DKiLY 
SERVICE TO A SPECIFIC HOUSEHOLD, EITHER ON A LIVE-IN OR LIVE- 
OUT BASIS.” 
SEC. 2. Article 142 of P. D. 442, as amended is hereby amended and 
renumbered to read as follows: 
“Art. 142 (A). Contract of domestic service. - [The original 
contract of domestic senrice shall not last for more than two (2 ) years 
but it may be renewed for such periods as may be agreed upon by the 
parties.] 
ALL HOUSEHOLD WORKING ARRANGEMENTS OR 
AGREEMENTS 
SHALL 
BE 
COVERED 
BY 
A 
WRITTEN 
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT, IN A LKNGUAGE OR DIALECT 
UNDERSTOOD BY BOTH EMPLOYER AND HOUSEHOLD HELPER, 
DULY SIGNED BY BOTH CONTRACTING PARTIES. 
EACH 
CONTRACTING 
PARTY 
SHALL 
BE 
PROVIDED 
WITH 
A 
COMPLETE SET OF THE DULY SIGNED CONTRACT OF SERVICE, 
WHICH SHALL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: 
(A) 
PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT, WHICH SHALL NOT 
EXCEED TWO (2) YEARS; 
(B) 
MONTHLY 
COMPENSATION 
AND 
MODE 
OF 
PAYMENT 
(C) 
ANNUAL SALARY INCREASE; 
(D) DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES; 
(E) 
WORIUNG HOURS AND DAY-OFF SCHEDULE; AND 
(F) 
LIVING QUaRTERS OR SLEEPING ARRANGEMENT.” 
“ART. 
142 (B). 
MEDICAL CERTIFICATE, POLICE 
CLEARANCE, NBI CLEARANCE, BARANGAY CLEARANCE AND BIRTH 
CERTIFICATE AS PRE-REQUISITES 
FOR 
EMPLOYMENT. - AS 


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PREREQUISITES FOR 
EMPLOYMENT IN DOMESTIC WORK, ALL 
PROSPECTIVE 
APPLICANTS SHOULD SECURE THE FOLLOWING 
DOCUMENTS: 
(A) 
MEDICAL 
CERTIFICATE ATTESTING 
TO 
THE 
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL FITNESS OF THE DOMESTIC WORKER 
TO BE SECURED FROM A LICENSED PHYSICIAN; 
(B) NATIONAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION (NBI) 
CLEAWCE; 
(C) 
BARANGAY CLEARANCE;AND 
(D) 
DULY AUTHENTICATED BIRTH CERTIF’ICATE FROM 
THE NATIONAL STATISTICS OFFICE (NSO). ” 
SEC. 3. 
Subparagraphs (1). (2)and (3), Article 143 of Presidential 
Decree No. 442, an amended, are herebyamended and renumbered to read 
as follws: 
“Art. 143 (A). Minimum wage. - (a) House helpers OR 
DOMESTIC HELPERS, AS DEFINED UNDER THIS ACT, shall be 
paid the following minimum wage rates: 
(1) 
[Eight Hundred Pesos (PSOO.OO)] 
TWO THOUSAND 
PESOS (P2,OOO.OO) a month for househelpers [in Manila, Quezon, Pasay 
and Caloocan cities and the municipalities of Makati, San Juan, 
Mandaluyong, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Malabon, Paranaque, Las Pinas, 
Pasig, Marikina, Valenzuela, Taguig and Pateros in Metro Manila and in 
highly urbanized cities] EMPLOYED IN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL 
REGION; 
(2) 
[Six Hundred Fifty pesos (PSSO.OO)] ONE THOUSAND 
FIVE HUNDRED PESOS (P1,500.00) a month for those EMPLOYED in 
other chartered cities and first class municipalities; and 
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(3) 
[Five Hundred fifty pesos (PSSO.OO)] ONE THOUSAND 
PESOS (P1,OOO.OO) a month for those in other municipalities. 
[Provided, That the employers shall review the employment 
contracts of their househelpers every three (3) years with the end in 
view of improving the terms and conditions thereof.] 
Provided, [further,] That those househelpers who are receiving 
at least One thousand pesos (P1,OOO.OO) shall be covered by the Social 
Security System (SSS) and be entitled to all the benefits provided 
thereunder. 
THE REGIONAL TRIPARTITE WAGES AND PRODUCTIVITY 
BOARDS (RTWPBS) MAY DETERMINE AND ADJUST, FROM TIME 
TO TIME, 
APPROPRIATE 
MINIMUM 
WAGE 
RATES 
OF 
HOUSEHOLD OR DOMESTIC HELPERS.” 
“ART. 143 (B). 
PAYMENT OF WAGES. - PAYMENT OF 
WAGES SHALL BE MADE DIRECTLY TO THE 
DOMESTIC 
WORKER TO WHOM THEY ARE DUE IN CASH, AT LEAST 
TWICEA 
MONTH. 
THE EMPLOYER, UNLESS ALLOWED BY 
THE DOMESTIC WORKER THROUGH A WRITTEN CONSENT, 
SHALL MAKE NO DEDUCTIONS FROM HIS/HER WAGES OTHER 
THAN THAT WHICH 
IS MANDATED BY LAW. NO EMPLOYER 
SHALL PAY THE WAGES OF A DOMESTIC WORKER BY MEANS 
OF PROMISORY NOTES, VOUCHERS, COUPONS, TOKENS, 
TICKETS, CHITS OR ANY 
OBJECT OTHER THBN THE CASH 
WAGE AS PROVIDED FOR UNDER THIS ACT.” 
“ART. 143 (C). 
PAY SLIP. - ALL EMPLOYERS ARE: 
MANDATED AT ALL TIMES TO PROVIDE THEIR DOMESTIC 
WORKER WITH A COPY OF THEIR PAY SLIP WHICH SHALL 
4. 


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CONTAIN THE AMOUNT PAID IN CASH BY THE EMPLOYER TO 
THE DOMESTIC WORKER EVERY PAY DAY, AS PRESCRIBED 
UNDER THIS ACT. THE COPIES OF THE PAY SLIP MUST BE KEPT 
BY THE EMPLOYER FOR A PERIOD OF THREE (3) YEARS.” 
“ART. 143 (D). 
PLACE OF PAYMENT. - PAYMENT OF 
WAGES SHALL BE NLIUDE AT OR NEAR THE PLACE OF 
UNDERTAKING, EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED BY SUCH 
REGULATIONS AS THE SECRETARY OF LABOR MKY PRESCRIBE 
UNDER CONDITIONS TO ENSURE PROTECTION OF WAGES.” 
“ART. 
143 (E) PROHIBITION OR INTERFERENCE IN 
DISPOSAL OF WAGES- NO EMPLOYER SHALL LIMIT OR 
OTHERWISE INTERFERE WITH THE FREEDOM 
OF ANY 
DOMESTIC WORKER TO DISPOSE OF HIS/HER WAGES. THE 
EMPLOYER SHALL NOT IN ANY MANNER FORCE, COMPEL, OR 
OBLIGE 
THE 
DOMESTIC 
WORKER 
TO 
PURCHASE 
MERCHANDISE, COMMODITIES OR OTHER PROPERTIES FROM 
THE EMPLOYERS OR FROM ANY OTHER PERSON, OR 
OTHERWISE MAKE USE OF ANY STORE OR SERVICES OF SUCH 
EMPLOYER OR ANY OTHER PERSON.” 
“ART. 143 (F) PROHIBITION AGAINST WITHOLDINGOF 
WAGES-IT SHALL BE UNUSWFTL FOR AN EMPLOYER, DIRECTLY 
OR INDIRECTLY, TO WITHHOLD ANY AMOUNT FROM THE 
WAGES OF THE DOMESTIC WORKER OR INDUCE HIWHER TO 
GIVE UP ANY PART OF HIS/HER WXGES BY FORCE, STEALTH, 
INTIMIDATION, 
THREAT 
OR 
BY ANY OTHER 
MEANS 
WHATSOEVER.” 
“ART. 143( G). PROHIBITION ON DEPOSITS FOR LOSS OR 
DAMAGE. - NO 
EMPLOYER 
SHALL 
REQUIRE HIS/HER 
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DOMESTIC WORKER TO MAKE DEPOSITS FROM WHICH 
DEDUCTIONS SHALL BE FJIADE FOR THE REIMBURSEMENT OF 
LOSS OR DAMAGE TO TOOLS, MATERIALS, FURNITURE AND 
EQUIPMENT IN THE HOUSEHOLD.’’ 
SEC. 4. Article 148 of Presidential Decree No. 442, as amended, is 
hereby amended to read as follows: 
“Art. 148. Board, lodging and medical attendance- The Employer shall 
furnish the househelper free of charge suitable and sanitary living quarters as 
well as adequate food and medical attendance. 
EVERY EMPLOYER SHALL KEEP IN HIS/HER HOUSEHOLD SUCH 
FIRST-AID MEDICINES AND EQUIPMENT AS THE NATURE AND 
CONDITIONS OF DOMESTIC WORK MAY REQUIRE, IN ACCORDANCE 
WITH THE RULES AND REGULATIONS THAT WILL BE PRESCRIBED BY 
THE DEPARTMENT OF LKBOR AND EMPLOYMENT (DOLE), IN 
ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISION OF THIS ACT.” 
SEC. 5. A new provision, Article 148-A is hereby inserted to read as 
follows: 
”ART. 
148-A MEMBERSHIP IN THE PHILIPPINE HEALTH 
INSURANCE CORPORATION (PHILHEALTH)- ALL HOUSEHELPERS 
SHALL BE COVERED BY THE PHILIPPINE HEALTH INSURANCE 
CORPORATION 
(PHILHEALTH) 
IN 
ACCORDANCE 
WITH 
THE 
GUIDELINE AND BE ENTITLED TO ALL THE BENEFITS PROVIDED BY 
LAW.” 
SEC. 6. Article 151 of Presidential Decree No. 442, as amended, is 
hereby amended to read as follows: 
“Art. 151 (A). Employment Certification- Upon the severance of the 
household 
service 
relation, 
the 
employer 
shall 
give 
the 
househelper/DOMESTIC 
WORKER 
a 
written 
EMPLOYMENT 
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CERTIFICATION INDICATING [statement of] the nature, [and] duration of 
the service, WORK PERFORMANCE, [and his or her] efficiency and conduct 
as househelper/DOMESTIC WORKER.” 
“ART. 151 (A). EMPLOYER’S REPORTORIAL DUTIES. - EVERY 
EMPLOYER OF DOMESTIC WORKER IS MANDATED TO KEEP THE 
FOLLOWING RECORD TO REFLECT THE ACTUAL TERMS AND 
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT HIS/HER DOMESTIC WORKER FOR A 
PERIOD OF THREE (3) YEARS AFTER THE DOMESTIC WORKER HAS 
LEFT THE SERVICES OF THE 
EMPLOYER FOR PURPOSES OF 
DOCUMENTATION: 
(A)A REGISTER OF ALL DOMESTIC WORKER EMPLOYED BY 
HIM/HER, INDICATING THE DATES OF THEIR BIRTH; 
(B)A SEPARATE FILE FOR THEIR EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT 
AND EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATE; 
(C)A SEPARATE FILE FOR THEIR POLICE CLEARANCE, NBI 
CLEARANCE AND BARANGAY CLEARANCE; AND 
(D) A SEPARATE FILE FOR THEIR MEDICAL CERTIFICATES. 
IT SHALL BE UNLAWFUL FOR ANY EMPLOYER TO MAKE ANY 
REPORT, OR RECORD FILED OR KEPT PURSUANT TO THE 
PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT KNOWING SUCH STATEMENT, REPORT OR 
RECORD TO BE FALSE IN ANY MATERIAL RESPECT.” 
SEC. 1. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of 
Interior and Local Government and the Department of Labor and 
Employment, in collaboration with other government agencies charged with 
the implementation of the provisions of this Act shall, within a period of one 
(1) year from the date of its effectivity, promulgate the necessary 
implementing rules and regulations. 
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SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, presidential issuances, 
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executive orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof not consistent with the 
provisions of this Act are hereby amended, repealed or modified 
accordingly. 
SEC. 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act, or the 
application thereof to any person or circumstance be held unconstitutional or 
be declared invalid, the remainder of this Act shall not be affected thereby. 
SEC. 10. Effectivity Clause. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
following the completion of its publication in the Offiicial Gazette or in two (2) 
newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved. 
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