QUEZON CITY – Several government agencies joined forces in celebration of the 11th anniversary of the passage of Republic Act No. 10361, the law instituting the policies for the protection and welfare of the domestic workers, popularly known as Batas Kasambahay or Domestic Workers Act at the Occupational Safety and Health Center on January 18, 2024.

“Malayo na, pero malayo pa.” Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Undersecretary for Workers’ Welfare and Protection Cluster and concurrent Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC) Chair-Designate Benjo Santos Benavidez said to highlight the importance of Batas Kasambahay as well as the role of each government agency in the implementation of the said act.

The Philippine Statistics Authority has recorded 1.4M kasambahays in the country and more than 1M of them were on live-out arrangement. With that number, 4% have written contracts while 60% were unaware of the Batas Kasambahay.

Hence, for its 11th anniversary, the DOLE together with its attached agencies, including the ECC, the Department of Social Welfare and Development and Philippine National Police, have organized a series of activities nationwide to provide access to the different government services for the Kasambahays.

The activity aims to provide benefits, services, and protection within reach not only to the kasambahays but also to their beneficiaries. The activities include learning sessions, TESDA skills training, registration, help-desk, and one-stop shop from social security agencies, legal clinic, TUPAD profiling, livelihood hub and information center among others.

About 70 kasambahays were present during the event and availed of skills training such as haircutting and massage. The children of the kasambahays were also present during the event and were given snacks during the film showing activity and puppet show which featured the story of a mother who is always providing for her child despite the child’s negative attitude towards her.

“#ParaSaFutureNiK,” has been the slogan of the event pertaining to Batas Kasambahay. As Usec. Benjo mentioned, the main purpose of the celebration is to mobilize the government services. “Dapat walang maiiwan, lalong lalo na yung ating mga kasambahay. Tayong lahat ay bahagi ng isang lipunan. Lahat tayo ay bahagi ng bagong Pilipinas.”

 

E. De Guzman – CO