Understanding the Kasambahay Bill

With the recent news on the abuses inflicted on house maid Bonita Baran, the Congress' Kasambahay Bill, when passed, will be an answered prayer to helpers everywhere in the Philippines, especially those who have been subject to abuse and maltreatment by their employers.  Deemed as the "Magna Carta for the Kasambahay", the bill seeks to protect the rights of helpers by improving their benefits and compensation and providing a grievance procedure for the protection of their rights.

Coverage

Authored by Congressman Diosdado Macapagal Arroyo and former president-turned Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the bill includes helpers who render household and domestic services to a homeowner or employer on a full-time basis for compensation, either on a live in or stay out arrangement.   The term "kasambahay" extends to cooks, houseboys, and family drivers who render domestic services to a family or homeowner.

Scope of the Bill

The rights stipulate already the basics that any person would expect:  the right to humane and decent living and working conditions, humane treatment, and other social conditions.  In addition to SSS coverage, house helpers will also be covered by PhilHealth.

Minimum wage rates

In a bid to put a stop to employers paying unreasonably low wages, the bill has pegged a minimum wage rate for domestics working within NCR, chartered citities and municipalities (P3000, P2,000 and P1,000, respectively), subject to appropriate adjustments by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards.

Labor Standards

The bill also requires all domestic help to be covered by a writtern contract which shall stipulate the period of employment (not more than 2 years), monthly compensation and mode or payment, annual salary increase, work house and day-off schedule and living quarters. Kasambahays are also entitled to a minimum of at least 5 days paid vacation leaves.

On the part of prospective house helpers, they are required to submit the following requisites before employment, such as medical clearance, NBI and barangay clearances and NSO-authenticated birth certificate.

The bill also provides grounds and a procedure for the termination of services and grievance.

The Kasambahay Bill:  Easier Said?

If passed into law, the bill will be the best thing that will ever happen to our house helpers, except the part requiring them to submit documents prior to employment.

On the employer side, this will keep abusive employers at bay.  While some homeowners will probably think the minimum wage rates may somewhat be stiffling to the middle class, I personally think that the wage rate is reasonable considering the improving economics in the country.  I know some of you will argue with this.  Nevertheless, you can just read the favorable reviews we've been hearing in the news and you'll understand why.    
Realistically speaking, the bill seeks to empower the kasambahay - but only if they are aware of it.  More often than not, most kasambahays who come from impoverished homes bite the bullet and accept low wages anyway in the hope of sending money back to their families.  Some do not have access to information and are not aware of their rights.  Because of this ignorance, they are likely targets of abuse.

More than just putting the bill in place, there is a need to disseminate and inform kasambahays of their rights.  Otherwise, it will just be another law down the drain.  Now, whose benefit was it really for in the first place?
 

 

What House Helpers Want Their Bosses To Know

There are stories of evil nannies and maids, and there are horror stories of employers. 

We've probably read the latest news how one househelper was grossly maltreated and abused by her employers which eventually caused the maid's blindness.  For particulars, you can read the following link: Abused maid said couple "treated her like a dog".
 

You ask: How could somebody be so obtuse as to inflict so much suffering on another person, with a loyal and diligent househelper at that?  Bakit kasi hindi magtagpo ang salbaheng amo at salbaheng katulong!!!

But then we all know that life is not like that.  Sometimes, the evil proportion falls more on the employers who have the propensity to inflict cruelty on their staff. 

I would like to think that in our household, all house members are treated fairly and with kindness.  Why should we not, when they keep and guard the house for us?  In my experience with house helpers, I have had maids who come to us for help, sharing with us their sad experience with their bosses.  While I wish I was wealthy enough to keep all the good ones with us, let me share with you their personal sentiments that they wished their employers knew:

1. "Tao po kami"  -  No matter what condition or situation our house helpers may be in, it is not - NEVER - a reason toss them around or call them names.  I have met people who have countless of times made fun of their maids in front of other people.  Like you and me, they have feelings.  The worst I've heard so far from an employer is this remark: "Katulong ka lang".    
2. "Kailangan din po naming magpahinga"  -  Everybody needs to rest, and househelpers are no exception.  To stay-in maids, a whole day off is heaven to most as it allows them to recharge their batteries and connect with friends.  Why should they be any different from us?
3. "Susunod naman po ako sa utos, huwag po kayo manakit" -  If there are nannies who inflict pain on their wards, there are also employers who do the same to their employees.  We've often heard bosses who hit their maids, burn them and scald them in boiling water.  One maid lost both her eyes from severe beatings she received from her employers.   
4. "Nagtatrabaho naman kami kahit wala kayo"  -  This will raise eyebrows I'm sure.  Some househelpers do not really care about chores and only clean when their bosses are either inside the house or are nearby.  Let's face it: May kagulangan din.  But keeping this in mind also makes me realistic of my expectations with my own house helpers.  I explain to them that rest time is ok, but you have to do the list of chores for the day.  Keeping a to-do list helps put things in perspective, and when things aren't done I always give them a chance to explain their side.  It's a balancing act, but for helpers you want to keep for the long haul it will always be a tough juggle.  Valued employees should always be "inaalagaan".
5. "Sana wag nyo po kaming pagdamutan ng pagkain" -Keeping house is hard work, as every housewife will attest, and nutrition is just as important as letting them rest.  Give them ample time to recharge their batteries.  Give them space to do something else than just house work.  If they love reading, allow them.  If they want to watch tv but you do not want them to use your expensive LED tv, why not provide them their own tv?  Even a black and white unit will do. 
6. "Gusto rin po kitang makilala"  -  Never presume that your maid or nanny will know you right away.  Like any person, they need to connect with you.  So make the effort to bond with them by sharing stories, jokes you've heard, personal experiences  -  things that you can share and that they can easily relate to.  These small little things go a long, long way.    

It's hard to really trust anybody these days, but just keep in mind that house helpers (and especially the GOOD and TRUSTWORTHY ones) should be considered PART of your family, for the very reason that they are in YOUR household and taking care of YOUR needs.