TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
■t'i.ii of I,
25 JULIO P6:01
S. B. No.
418
RtCEIVfiD B(f:
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR ALAN PETER “COMPA^JERO” S. CAYETANO
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR ADDITIONAL RIGHTS AND BENEFITS TO 
KASAMBAHAYS UNDER REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10361, ENTITLED 
“AN ACT INSTITUTING POLICIES FOR THE PROTECTION AND 
WELFARE OF DOMESTIC WORKERS", OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 
THE “DOMESTIC WORKERS ACT" OR “BATAS KASAMBAHAY", 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who 
are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
Proverbs 31: 8-9
Kasambahays play a vital role in Filipino households. Through their hard 
work and care, they ensure the comfort, stability, and well-being of the families 
they serve. Often regarded as extended members of the household, they enable 
others to focus on their work and education with peace of mind. But if we are to 
truly transform the nation, we must begin by reducing social inequalities-starting 
at home. This means empowering kasambahays with opportunities for self- 
improvement and lifelong learning.
The 1987 Constitution mandates the State to promote social justice and 
protect all workers. In 2013, Congress passed Republic Act No. 10361 or the 
“Batas Kasambahay” to safeguard the rights of domestic workers. It established 
basic labor standards such as contracts, rest periods, social protection, and 
minimum wage rates. Yet, significant implementation gaps persist.
Wages remain low. As of May 2025, regional wage boards set the minimum 
wage for domestic workers between Php 4,500 (Region XII) and Php 7,000 
(National Capital Region),1 translating to an average monthly salary of Php 5,750, 
which is below livable standards. With such limited income, many kasambahays
1 DOLE National Wages and Productivity Commission (May 2025). Current Monthly Minimum Wage For Domestic Workers, https://nwpc.dole.gov.ph/current-monthly-minimum- 
wage-for-domestic-workers/


struggle to prioritize needs such as medicines and even continuing education. The 
nature of their work makes attending formal schooling difficult, and few employers 
provide time or support for upskilling or alternative learning systems.
These persistent challenges drive many domestic workers to seek 
employment abroad, with the majority of 172,000 Filipino women leaving the 
country annually engaging in domestic work,2 facing renewed risks as OFWs.
It is time we adopt a more comprehensive and inclusive approach to 
safeguard the dignity, well-being, and potential of our kasambahays.
This measure strengthens the Batas Kasambahay by introducing key 
reforms that address their evolving needs. It institutionalizes access to continuing 
education and skills development by requiring employers to provide at least one 
(1) hour per day or six (6) hours per week for alternative or skills-based learning, 
with such time counted as compensable working hours. It also mandates 
PhilHealth for the coverage of maintenance medicines, recognizing the importance 
of access to essential medication for managing chronic illnesses and sustaining 
overall well-being. It likewise allows kasambahays to access their social security 
retirement benefits earlier, allowing them to avail of these benefits which they can 
use in various endeavors that they wish to pursue.
To ensure accessible learning, the bill creates the Kasambahay Education 
Inter-Agency Committee, chaired by the Secretary of Labor and composed of 
TESDA, DepEd, and CHED. The Committee will develop practical modules, 
address digital access gaps, and formulate policies that balance the rights of 
kasambahays and employers.
No one should remain a kasambahay for life simply because they were 
never given the chance to grow. By investing in their development, we invest in a 
more inclusive, just, and forward-moving society. This measure reaffirms our 
commitment to decent work, health, growth, security, and opportunity for all 
workers-especially for those who serve in the heart of our homes.
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
ALAN PET
PANERO” S. CAYETANO
2 Gender in Geopolitics Institute (February 2024). Filipino Domestic Workers: The Invisible Workforce Product of Globalization, https://igg-geo.org/en/2024/02/12/flli/


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
0( llii'
25 JUUO P6--00
S. B. No. 418
RtCElVEDBt;
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR ALAN PETER “COMPANERO” S. CAYETANO
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR ADDITIONAL RIGHTS AND BENEFITS TO 
KASAMBAHAYS UNDER REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10361, ENTITLED 
“AN ACT INSTITUTING POLICIES FOR THE PROTECTION AND 
WELFARE OF DOMESTIC WORKERS", OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 
THE “DOMESTIC WORKERS ACT" OR “BATAS KASAMBAHAY",
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as "Enhanced Batas
2 
Kasambahay Act.”
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to protect and
4 
promote the right to health of the people while affirming labor as a primary social
5 
economic force, protecting the rights of workers and promoting their welfare. It is
6 
therefore the responsibility of the State to provide social benefits for the labor force
7 
and the underprivileged. The Constitution also encourages non-formal, informal,
8 
and indigenous learning systems, as well as self-learning, independent, and out-
9 
of-school study programs particularly those that respond to community needs.
10 
Congress shall give highest priority to the enactment of measures that
11 
protect and enhance the right of all the people to human dignity, and reduce social,
12 
economic, and political inequalities. The provision of additional benefits and
13 
access to education, especially to the disadvantaged citizens of our society, works
14 
to this end.
15 
By providing their services, kasambahays play a vital role in the basic unit
16 
of our society. Therefore, it is necessary that the State promote and protect their
17 
rights by providing them access to social services and benefits, consistent with the
18 
principle of raising the quality of life for all, especially the underprivileged.
19 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - For the purposes of this Act, the following
20 
terms are defined:
21 
(a) Kasambahay - refers to any person who is employed or otherwise
22 
engaged in domestic work exclusively for one (1) household, whether on a live-in
23 
or live-out arrangement, and whose working hours for such household is at least
24 
twenty (20) hours per week.
25 
Kasambahay shall include individuals performing tasks related to general
26 
househelp, caregiving, child-minding, cooking, gardening, and other similar
27 
activities, but shall exclude (a) those performing such tasks on a freelance, part-


1 
time, or per-task basis; (b) those performing such tasks occasionally or
2 
sporadically and not on an occupational basis; and (c) those who are performing
3 
such tasks for multiple households.
4 
The definition of a kasambahay found in Republic Act No. 10361 shall
5 
remain in effect for the purposes of that law insofar as it is not inconsistent with the
6 
purpose of this Act.
7 
(b) Alternative Learning Systems or ALS - refers to a learning system
8 
that provides for a substitute or option to formal education through practical means.
9 
(c) Maintenance drugs or medicines - refer to medications taken regularly
10 
or on a recurring basis prescribed to treat chronic and/or long-term illnesses or
11 
diseases.
12 
(d) Outpatient drugs or medicines - refer to medications that are obtained
13 
outside of a hospital.
14 
Sec. 4. Continuing Education. - Without prejudice to Section 20 of Republic
15 
Act No. 10361, otherwise known as the Batas Kasambahay, each kasambahay
16 
shall have at least one (1) hour per day, or six (6) hours per week, for continuing
17 
alternative or skills education which hours shall be considered as compensable
18 
working hours.
19 
To make online learning accessible to kasambahay, the Department of
20 
Labor and Employment (DOLE), in coordination with the Department of Information
21 
and Communications Technology (DICT), shall institute a program to make
22 
internet and internet-enabled devices accessible to kasambahays.
23 
Sec. 5. Access to Alternative Learning Systems. - The Technical Education
24 
and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Education (DepEd),
25 
and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) shall provide alternative learning
26 
systems to all kasambahays, ensuring that all kasambahays have equal
27 
opportunities and access to such systems. These systems shall include
28 
applications and online content designed to enable and encourage participation,
29 
interaction, and development for upskilling and further study.
30 
Sec. 6. Kasambahay Education Inter-Agency Committee. - There is hereby
31 
created a Kasambahay Education Inter-Agency Committee, hereinafter referred to
32 
as the Committee, for the formulation of effective alternative learning framework
33 
for all kasambahays. The Committee shall be composed of the Secretary of the
34 
DOLE as Chairman, or any official as may be appointed by him, and the respective
35 
heads of TESDA, DepEd, and CHED, or any official as may be appointed-by such
36 
heads, as members.
37 
The Committee shall have the following mandate:
38 
(a) Formulate a practical, accessible and convenient module for the
39 
alternative learning of kasambahays]
40 
(b) Study and impiement efficient terms and conditions for the access of
41 
kasambahays to alternative learning taking into consideration the right
42 
of both employers and kasambahays]
43 
(c) Provide efficient access to alternative learning systems, ensuring that
44 
kasambahays have access to the necessary tools or gadgets to
45 
access online education; and
46 
(d)Such other functions as may be deemed necessary for the
47 
implementation of the alternative learning of kasambahays.


1 
Sec. 7. Free Maintenance Medicine for Kasambahays. - Maintenance
2 
medicine of kasambahays for illnesses and conditions such as diabetes,
3 
hypertension, asthma, tuberculosis, and such other chronic illnesses and
4 
conditions to be determined by the DOH shall be purchased by the LCDs of their
5 
workplace. Such maintenance medicine purchased shall be legally chargeable and
6 
covered by the National Health Insurance Program implemented by PhilHealth. A
7 
delivery system must be put in place for monthly or quarterly regular deliveries of
8 
such maintenance medicines to kasambahays.
9 
Such coverage shall be distinct from in-patient drugs provided during and
10 
right after confinement due to the aforementioned illnesses and diseases.
11 
Sec. 8. Earlier Access to Social Security System (SSS) Benefits for
12 
Kasambahays. - A kasambahay who has paid at least sixty (60) monthly
13 
contributions prior to the semester of retirement and who: (a) has reached the age
14 
of fifty-six (56) years and is already separated from employment; or (b) has
15 
reached the age of sixty (60) years, shall be entitled for as long as he lives to the
16 
monthly pension: Provided, That he shall have the option to receive his first
17 
eighteen (18) monthly pensions in lump sum discounted at a preferential rate of
18 
interest to be computed and determined by the SSS.
19 
Sec. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty (30) days upon
20 
approval of this Act, the Kasambahay Education Inter-Agency Committee and
21 
PhilHealth shall promulgate rules and regulations for the effective implementation
22 
of the provisions of this Act.
23 
Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, presidential
24 
decrees, administrative orders, rules and regulations, issuances, or parts thereof
25 
inconsistent with any provision of this Act are hereby repealed or amended
26 
accordingly.
27 
Sec. 11. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any portion or provision of
28 
this Act shall be held unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining provisions not
29 
affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.
30 
Sec. 12. Effectivlty. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
31 
publication in the Official Gazette or at least two (2) national newspapers of general
32 
circulation.
Approved,