HOUSE Re. 8) ATIVES:

Republic of the Philippines RECENED
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIV! 22 AUG 2018
DATE:

Constitution Hills, Quezon Cit
crv 314 fu

SEVENTEENTH CONGRES: Perel =

First Regular Session
RESCH TIN ONT.

Sf s 2VIGE
HOUSE BILL NO. 3164 =

Introduced by: Representative JOHNNY T. PIMENTEL

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In 2013, the Philippines stood as a beacon of social justice and labor rights when
it passed RA 10361 or the Domestic Workers Act. A law was finally enacted to
recognize the circumstance of every household helpers, which seemed to have
alluded notice from Philippine labor laws. Such law duly expanded the rights
and social protection of our household helpers.

Among the key features that the Domestic Workers Act enshrined was the
imposition of a minimum wage. It granted kasambahays the minimum wage of
P2,500.00, P2,000.00, and P1,500.00 for those employed in the National Capital
Region (NCR), chartered cities and first class municipalities, and other
municipalities respectively. The same law also provided that the minimum wages
shall be subject to the review and determination of the Regional Tripartite and
Productivity Wage Boards (RTPWBs) a year after the law’s effectivity.

Nevertheless, after three years of the enactment of this lofty Act, review and
adjustment to the minimum wage of our kasambahays remain elusive. It is
apparent that RTPWBs have failed to address the needs of kasambahays,
especially in the provision of the minimum salary considering the changes in the
Consumer Price Index. In fact, this year the National Capital Region’s RTPWB
issued Wage Order No. NCR - 20. It revealed that the average inflation rate from


April, 2015 to April, 2016 is 0.6%. Yet, the same wage order expressly stated
that household help are excluded from its coverage.

Neglect to this marginalized subsector of Philippine labor is specifically the very
spirit and purpose for the enactment of RA 10361. Kasambahays serve a crucial
role in Filipino households. The lapses in government protection to
kasambahays, especially in their economic needs vis-a-vis the changes in the
Consumer Price Index, affronts this nation’s policy in guaranteeing the rights of
our labor force.

This Bill seeks to keep the Domestic Workers Act abreast with the present
economic realities.

Its approval is earnestly sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, 8164

Introduced by: Representative JOHNNY T. PIMENTEL

AN ACT
INCREASING THE MINIMUM WAGE OF KASAMBAHAYS AMENDING FOR
THIS PURPOSE SEC. 24 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10361, ALSO KNOWN AS
THE “DOMESTIC WORKERS ACT” OR “BATAS KASAMBAHAY”

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

SECTION 1. Section 24 of the Domestic Workers Act or Batas Kasambahay, is
hereby amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 24. Minimum Wage. - The minimum wage of domestic
workers shall not be less than the following:

{a) (Two thousand five hundred pesos (P2,500.00)] THREE THOUSAND
PESOS (P3,000.00) a month for those employed in the National
Capital Region (NRC);

(b) [Two thousand pesos (P2,000.00)]) TWO THOUSAND FIVE
HUNDRED PESOS (P2,500.00) a month for those employed in
chartered cities and first class municipalities; and

(c) [One thousand five hundred pesos (P1,500.00)] TWO THOUSAND
PESOS a month for those employed in other municipalities

XXX XXX XXX

SECTION 2. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, regulation or


ordinance contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of the Act is hereby
repealed, modified or amended accordingly.

SECTION 3. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of
general circulation.

Approved,