LEGAZPI CITY –- Household helpers, now more dignified and respected as a result of the implementation of the “Batas Kasambahay”, have been learning about their basic rights and benefits through orientations being conducted by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
A similar learning program was conducted in a village in Masbate City on Thursday by the DOLE provincial office, which was attended by 44 domestic helpers or “kasambahays”.
In an interview on Friday, DOLE-Bicol Officer-in-Charge Regional Director Rovelinda dela Rosa said the event was aimed at providing domestic helpers or “kasambahays” opportunities for personal growth and development through learning sessions.
She said the 44 domestic helpers in Barangay Espinosa, who attended the orientation, acquired knowledge and skills that would enhance their work performance and help them gain their employers’ trust and respect.
“The participants must also need to know the minimum wage of kasambahays and other benefits they are entitled to. It is their right and they have to be informed,” dela Rosa said.
One of the participants, Elena Espinosa, found the activity very informative, especially regarding her rights and position as a domestic helper.
“Nagpapasalamat po kami sa paghimo sani na aktibidades na gin-imbwelto nyo kami. Damo-damo po kami na naarman tungkol sa mga prebilihiyo san mga kasambahay lalo na po an pagpapaenrol sa SSS kag Pag-Ibig (We thank you for conducting this activity and inviting us to be part of this. We gained a lot of insights, particularly the privileges of domestic helpers, the benefits from SSS and Pag-IBIG),” she said.
“May PhilHealth na po kami kay miyembro man kami san 4Ps. Salamat man po kay naimbitar an TESDA na maghatag san impormasyon tungkol mga trainings na pwede pa namon na entrahan. Kag salamat sa DOLE san pagupdate sa amon san sweldo kag iba pa na benepisyo na peding ihatag san amon na amo. (We are now members of PhilHealth and 4Ps beneficiaries. We also thank TESDA for the information on training courses we could undertake. Also, thanks to DOLE for updating us on our salary and other benefits we are entitled to receive,” Espinosa added.
In a separate interview, April Alcazar, a babysitter in Legazpi City, expressed hope that the orientation on the Kasambahay Law would also be conducted in Albay, so they could learn about their basic rights and benefits.
“Gusto ko din mag-attend sa mga ganyan pag-uusap kasi matutoto na ako, maipapamahagi ko pa sa mga kakilala ko un malalaman ko ( I also want to attend forums like that since it will educate me and I can share the knowledge to my fellow youths),” Alcazar added.
Among the government agencies that were represented in the forum were the Social Security System (SSS), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) and the Pagtutulungan sa Kinabukasan: Ikaw, Bangko, Industria at Gobyerno (Pag-IBIG). The speakers from these agencies discussed the kasambahays’ social protection benefits under Republic Act No. 10361 (An Act Instituting Policies for the Protection and Welfare of Domestic Workers).
The discussion was followed by a forum wherein clarifications were made on issues related to skills training, social services and kasambahay monetary benefits. (Connie Calipay/PNA)
