Jinggoy re-files 'Kasambahay' Bill

Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada has re-filed a Senate bill once called the ?Freedom Charter for the Household Workers,? after the counterpart bill in the House of Representatives has not been approved during the last 14th Congress.

Estrada filed anew his bill or known as Kasambahay Bill during the start of the filing last Thursday. It was logged as Senate Bill No. 78 at the Senate Bills and Index Service at the Senate building in Pasay City.

?This time I will make sure that this sector of our labor force, often looked down on and feeling helpless, will be guaranteed decent working condition with the passage of this bill,? said Estrada.

Under the bill, ?kasambahay? refers to ?any person who renders for compensation to a homeowner or employer undertaking tasks ascribed as normal household chores within a specific household.? The term includes maids, cooks, houseboys, family drivers, and yayas who provide daily service on a full-time, live-in or live-out basis.

The measure prescribes a written employment contract between the employer and the kasambahay which shall state: period of employment, monthly compensation, annual salary increase, duties and responsibilities, working hours and day-off schedule, and living quarters.

Employers will also be required to enroll house helpers to Social Security System (SSS) and Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) as insurance plan holders.

Estrada said usual scenarios and grievances experienced by the kasambahay, such as receiving salaries in form of promissory notes, withholding of wages, making deductions as reimbursement for loss or damage to household equipments, and being bound in continuous employment as payment for a loan will all be deemed illegal.

On the other hand, to prove that the applicants will be physically fit for the job, they will be asked to present medical certificate, barangay clearance and authenticated birth certificate as prerequisites for employment.

Estrada expressed confidence that the 15th Congress, despite the reconstitution of its members, will see the bill?s strong merits and noble intention of promoting the welfare of house helpers.

?Even if we start from step one, it?s important we were able to pass it last Congress. It means that my colleagues appreciate the importance of this bill,? Estrada said.