Republic Act No. 10361· Enacted 2013-01-18

Batas Kasambahay (RA 10361) Philippines — BatasKo ELI5

Ang Batas Kasambahay explained in plain Filipino-English: rights of kasambahay, employer duties, wages, and what to do if rights are violated.

ELI5Labor RightsOFW Relevantlabor-rightskasambahaydomestic-workers

Official text — Republic Act No. 10361

Jump to section ↓46 sections

Preamble — Fifteenth Congress
Section 1 — Short Title.
Section 2 — Declaration of Policies.
Section 3 — Coverage.
Section 4 — Definition of Terms.
Section 5 — Standard of Treatment.
Section 6 — Board, Lodging and Medical Attendance.
Section 7 — Guarantee of Privacy.
Section 8 — Access to Outside Communication.
Section 9 — Right to Education and Training.
Section 10 — Prohibition Against Privileged Information.
Section 11 — Employment Contract.
Section 12 — Pre-Employment Requirement.
Section 13 — Recruitment and Finders Fees.
Section 14 — Deposits for Loss or Damage.
Section 15 — Prohibition on Debt Bondage.
Section 16 — Employment Age of Domestic Workers.
Section 17 — Employers Reportorial Duties.
Section 18 — Skills Training, Assessment and Certification.
Section 19 — Health and Safety.
Section 20 — Daily Rest Period.
Section 21 — Weekly Rest Period.
Section 22 — Assignment to Nonhousehold Work.
Section 23 — Extent of Duty.
Section 24 — Minimum Wage.
Section 25 — Payment of Wages.
Section 26 — Pay Slip.
Section 27 — Prohibition on Interference in the Disposal of
Section 28 — Prohibition Against Withholding of Wages.
Section 29 — Leave Benefits.
Section 30 — Social and Other Benefits.
Section 31 — Rescue and Rehabilitation of Abused Domestic Wo
Section 32 — Termination of Service.
Section 33 — Termination Initiated by the Domestic Worker.
Section 34 — Termination Initiated by the Employer.
Section 35 — Employment Certification.
Section 36 — Regulation of Private Employment Agencies (PEAs
Section 37 — Mechanism for Settlement of Disputes.
Section 38 — Information Program.
Section 39 — "Araw Ng Mga Kasambahay". The date upon which
Section 40 — Penalty.
Section 41 — Transitory Provision; Non-Diminution of Benefit
Section 42 — Implementing Rules and Regulations.
Section 43 — Separability Clause.
Section 44 — Repealing Clause.
Section 45 — Effectivity Clause.

Preamble

Fifteenth Congress

Third Regular Session

Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-third day of July, two thousand twelve.

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10361

AN ACT INSTITUTING POLICIES FOR THE PROTECTION AND WELFARE OF DOMESTIC WORKERS

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

ARTICLE I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1

Section 1.

Short Title.

This Act shall be known as the "Domestic Workers Act" or "Batas Kasambahay".

Section 2

Section 2.

Declaration of Policies.

It is hereby declared that:

(a) The State strongly affirms labor as a primary social force and is committed to respect, promote, protect and realize the fundamental principles and rights at work including, but not limited to, abolition of child labor, elimination of all forms of forced labor, discrimination in employment and occupation, and trafficking in persons, especially women and children;

(b) The State adheres to internationally accepted working conditions for workers in general, and establishes labor standards for domestic workers in particular, towards decent employment and income, enhanced coverage of social protection, respect for human rights and strengthened social dialogue;

(c) The State recognizes the need to protect the rights of domestic workers against abuse, harassment, violence, economic exploitation and performance of work that is hazardous to their physical and mental health; and

(d) The State, in protecting domestic workers and recognizing their special needs to ensure safe and healthful working conditions, promotes gender-sensitive measures in the formulation and implementation of policies and programs affecting the local domestic work.

Section 3 — Coverage.→

Section 3.

Coverage.

This Act applies to all domestic workers employed and working within the country.

Section 4 — Definition of Terms.→

Section 4.

Definition of Terms.

As used in this Act, the term:

(a)

Debt bondage

refers to the rendering of service by the domestic worker as security or payment for a debt where the length and nature of service is not clearly defined or when the value of the service is not reasonably applied in the payment of the debt.

(b)

Deployment expenses

refers to expenses that are directly used for the transfer of the domestic worker from place of origin to the place of work covering the cost of transportation. Advances or loans by the domestic worker are not included in the definition of deployment expenses.

(c)

Domestic work

refers to work performed in or for a household or households.

(d)

Domestic worker

or "Kasambahay" refers to any person engaged in domestic work within an employment relationship such as, but not limited to, the following: general househelp, nursemaid or "yaya", cook, gardener, or laundry person, but shall exclude any person who performs domestic work only occasionally or sporadically and not on an occupational basis.

The term shall not include children who are under foster family arrangement, and are provided access to education and given an allowance incidental to education, i.e. "baon", transportation, school projects and school activities.

(e)

Employer

refers to any person who engages and controls the services of a domestic worker and is party to the employment contract.

(f)

Household

refers to the immediate members of the family or the occupants of the house that are directly provided services by the domestic worker.

(g)

Private Employment Agency (PEA)

refers to any individual, legitimate partnership, corporation or entity licensed to engage in the recruitment and placement of domestic workers for local employment.

(h)

Working children,

as used under this Act, refers to domestic workers who are fifteen (15) years old and above but below eighteen (18) years old.

ARTICLE II

RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES

Section 5 — Standard of Treatment. →

Section 5.

Standard of Treatment.

The employer or any member of the household shall not subject a domestic worker or "kasambahay" to any kind of abuse nor inflict any form of physical violence or harassment or any act tending to degrade the dignity of a domestic worker.

Section 6 — Board, Lodging and Medical Attendance.→

Section 6.

Board, Lodging and Medical Attendance.

The employer shall provide for the basic necessities of the domestic worker to include at least three (3) adequate meals a day and humane sleeping arrangements that ensure safety.

The employer shall provide appropriate rest and assistance to the domestic worker in case of illnesses and injuries sustained during service without loss of benefits.

At no instance shall the employer withdraw or hold in abeyance the provision of these basic necessities as punishment or disciplinary action to the domestic worker.

Show 39 more sections +→

Section 7 — Guarantee of Privacy.→

Section 7.

Guarantee of Privacy.

Respect for the privacy of the domestic worker shall be guaranteed at all times and shall extend to all forms of communication and personal effects. This guarantee equally recognizes that the domestic worker is obliged to render satisfactory service at all times.

Section 8 — Access to Outside Communication. →

Section 8.

Access to Outside Communication.

The employer shall grant the domestic worker access to outside communication during free time:

Provided,

That in case of emergency, access to communication shall be granted even during work time. Should the domestic worker make use of the employers telephone or other communication facilities, the costs shall be borne by the domestic worker, unless such charges are waived by the employer.

Section 9 — Right to Education and Training.→

Section 9.

Right to Education and Training.

The employer shall afford the domestic worker the opportunity to finish basic education and may allow access to alternative learning systems and, as far as practicable, higher education or technical and vocational training. The employer shall adjust the work schedule of the domestic worker to allow such access to education or training without hampering the services required by the employer.

Section 10 — Prohibition Against Privileged Information.→

Section 10.

Prohibition Against Privileged Information.

All communication and information pertaining to the employer or members of the household shall be treated as privileged and confidential, and shall not be publicly disclosed by the domestic worker during and after employment. Such privileged information shall be inadmissible in evidence except when the suit involves the employer or any member of the household in a crime against persons, property, personal liberty and security, and chastity.

ARTICLE III

PRE-EMPLOYMENT

Section 11 — Employment Contract.→

Section 11.

Employment Contract.

An employment contract shall be executed by and between the domestic worker and the employer before the commencement of the service in a language or dialect understood by both the domestic worker and the employer. The domestic worker shall be provided a copy of the duly signed employment contract which must include the following:

(a) Duties and responsibilities of the domestic worker;

(b) Period of employment;

(d) Authorized deductions;

(e) Hours of work and proportionate additional payment;

(f) Rest days and allowable leaves;

(g) Board, lodging and medical attention;

(h) Agreements on deployment expenses, if any;

(i) Loan agreement;

(j) Termination of employment; and

(k) Any other lawful condition agreed upon by both parties.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) shall develop a model employment contract for domestic workers which shall, at all times, be made available free of charge to domestic workers, employers, representative organizations and the general public. The DOLE shall widely disseminate information to domestic workers and employers on the use of such model employment contract.

In cases where the employment of the domestic worker is facilitated through a private employment agency, the PEA shall keep a copy of all employment contracts of domestic workers and shall be made available for verification and inspection by the DOLE.

Section 12 — Pre-Employment Requirement. →

Section 12.

Pre-Employment Requirement.

Prior to the execution of the employment contract, the employer may require the following from the domestic worker:

(a) Medical certificate or a health certificate issued by a local government health officer;

(b) Barangay and police clearance;

(d) Duly authenticated birth certificate or if not available, any other document showing the age of the domestic worker such as voters identification card, baptismal record or passport.

However, Section 12(a), (b), (c) and (d) shall be standard requirements when the employment of the domestic worker is facilitated through the PEA.

The cost of the foregoing shall be borne by the prospective employer or agency, as the case may be.

Section 13 — Recruitment and Finders Fees. →

Section 13.

Recruitment and Finders Fees.

Regardless of whether the domestic worker was hired through a private employment agency or a third party, no share in the recruitment or finders fees shall be charged against the domestic worker by the said private employment agency or third party.

Section 14 — Deposits for Loss or Damage. →

Section 14.

Deposits for Loss or Damage.

It shall be unlawful for the employer or any other person to require a domestic worker to make deposits from which deductions shall be made for the reimbursement of loss or damage to tools, materials, furniture and equipment in the household.

Section 15 — Prohibition on Debt Bondage. →

Section 15.

Prohibition on Debt Bondage.

It shall be unlawful for the employer or any person acting on behalf of the employer to place the domestic worker under debt bondage.

Section 16 — Employment Age of Domestic Workers. →

Section 16.

Employment Age of Domestic Workers.

It shall be unlawful to employ any person below fifteen (15) years of age as a domestic worker. Employment of working children, as defined under this Act, shall be subject to the provisionsof Section 10(A), paragraph 2 of Section 12-A, paragraph 4 of Section 12-D, and Section 13 of Republic Act No. 7610, as amended, otherwise known as the "Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act".

Working children shall be entitled to minimum wage, and all benefits provided under this Act.

Any employer who has been sentenced by a court of law of any offense against a working child under this Act shall be meted out with a penalty one degree higher and shall be prohibited from hiring a working child.

Section 17 — Employers Reportorial Duties.→

Section 17.

Employers Reportorial Duties.

The employers shall register all domestic workers under their employment in the Registry of Domestic Workers in the barangay where the employers residence is located. The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) shall, in coordination with the DOLE, formulate a registration system for this purpose.

Section 18 — Skills Training, Assessment and Certification.→

Section 18.

Skills Training, Assessment and Certification.

To ensure productivity and assure quality services, the DOLE, through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), shall facilitate access of domestic workers to efficient training, assessment and certification based on a duly promulgated training regulation.

ARTICLE IV

EMPLOYMENT TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Section 19 — Health and Safety. →

Section 19.

Health and Safety.

The employer shall safeguard the health and safety of the domestic worker in accordance with laws, rules and regulations, with due consideration of the peculiar nature of domestic work.

Section 20 — Daily Rest Period.→

Section 20.

Daily Rest Period.

The domestic worker shall be entitled to an aggregate daily rest period of eight (8) hours per day.

Section 21 — Weekly Rest Period. →

Section 21.

Weekly Rest Period.

The domestic worker shall be entitled to at least twenty-four (24) consecutive hours of rest in a week. The employer and the domestic worker shall agree in writing on the schedule of the weekly rest day of the domestic worker:

Provided,

That the employer shall respect the preference of the domestic worker as to the weekly rest day when such preference is based on religious grounds. Nothing in this provision shall deprive the domestic worker and the employer from agreeing to the following:

(a) Offsetting a day of absence with a particular rest day;

(b) Waiving a particular rest day in return for an equivalent daily rate of pay;

(d) Other similar arrangements.

Section 22 — Assignment to Nonhousehold Work.→

Section 22.

Assignment to Nonhousehold Work.

No domestic worker shall be assigned to work in a commercial, industrial or agricultural enterprise at a wage rate lower than that provided for agricultural or nonagricultural workers. In such cases, the domestic worker shall be paid the applicable minimum wage.

Section 23 — Extent of Duty.→

Section 23.

Extent of Duty.

The domestic worker and the employer may mutually agree for the former to temporarily perform a task that is outside the latters household for the benefit of another household. However, any liability that will be incurred by the domestic worker on account of such arrangement shall be borne by the original employer. In addition, such work performed outside the household shall entitle the domestic worker to an additional payment of not less than the existing minimum wage rate of a domestic worker. It shall be unlawful for the original employer to charge any amount from the said household where the service of the domestic worker was temporarily performed.

Section 24 — Minimum Wage.→

Section 24.

Minimum Wage.

The minimum wage of domestic workers shall not be less than the following:

(a) Two thousand five hundred pesos (

2,500.00) a month for those employed in the National Capital Region (NCR);

(b) Two thousand pesos (

2,000.00) a month for those employed in chartered cities and first class municipalities; and

1,500.00) a month for those employed mother municipalities.

After one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act, and periodically thereafter, the Regional Tripartite and Productivity Wage Boards (RTPWBs) shall review, and if proper, determine and adjust the minimum wage rates of domestic workers.

Section 25 — Payment of Wages.→

Section 25.

Payment of Wages.

Payment of wages shall be made on time directly to the domestic worker to whom they are due in cash at least once a month. The employer, unless allowed by the domestic worker through a written consent, shall make no deductions from the wages other than that which is mandated by law. No employer shall pay the wages of a domestic worker by means of promissory notes, vouchers, coupons, tokens, tickets, chits, or any object other than the cash wage as provided for under this Act.

The domestic worker is entitled to a thirteenth month pay as provided for by law.

Section 26 — Pay Slip. →

Section 26.

Pay Slip.

The employer shall at all times provide the domestic worker with a copy of the pay slip containing the amount paid in cash every pay day, and indicating all deductions made, if any. The copies of the pay slip shall be kept by the employer for a period of three (3) years.

Section 27 — Prohibition on Interference in the Disposal of Wages. →

Section 27.

Prohibition on Interference in the Disposal of Wages.

It shall be unlawful for the employer to interfere with the freedom of any domestic worker to dispose of the latters wages. The employer shall not force, compel or oblige the domestic worker to purchase merchandise, commodities or other properties from the employer or from any other person, or otherwise make use of any store or services of such employer or any other person.

Section 28 — Prohibition Against Withholding of Wages. →

Section 28.

Prohibition Against Withholding of Wages.

It shall be unlawful for an employer, directly or indirectly, to withhold the wages of the domestic worker. If the domestic worker leaves without any justifiable reason, any unpaid salary for a period not exceeding fifteen (15) days shall be forfeited. Likewise, the employer shall not induce the domestic worker to give up any part of the wages by force, stealth, intimidation, threat or by any other means whatsoever.

Section 29 — Leave Benefits. →

Section 29.

Leave Benefits.

A domestic worker who has rendered at least one (1) year of service shall be entitled to an annual service incentive leave of five (5) days with pay:

Provided,

That any unused portion of said annual leave shall not be cumulative or carried over to the succeeding years. Unused leaves shall not be convertible to cash.

Section 30 — Social and Other Benefits. →

Section 30.

Social and Other Benefits.

A domestic worker who has rendered at least one (1) month of service shall be covered by the Social Security System (SSS), the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and the Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG, and shall be entitled to all the benefits in accordance with the pertinent provisions provided by law.

Premium payments or contributions shall be shouldered by the employer. However, if the domestic worker is receiving a wage of Five thousand pesos (

5,000.00) and above per month, the domestic worker shall pay the proportionate share in the premium payments or contributions, as provided by law.

The domestic worker shall be entitled to all other benefits under existing laws.

Section 31 — Rescue and Rehabilitation of Abused Domestic Workers. →

Section 31.

Rescue and Rehabilitation of Abused Domestic Workers.

Any abused or exploited domestic worker shall be immediately rescued by a municipal or city social welfare officer or a social welfare officer from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in coordination with the concerned barangay officials. The DSWD and the DILG shall develop a standard operating procedure for the rescue and rehabilitation of abused domestic workers, and in coordination with the DOLE, for possible subsequent job placement.

ARTICLE V

POST EMPLOYMENT

Section 32 — Termination of Service.→

Section 32.

Termination of Service.

Neither the domestic worker nor the employer may terminate the contract before the expiration of the term except for grounds provided for in Sections 33 and 34 of this Act. If the domestic worker is unjustly dismissed, the domestic worker shall be paid the compensation already earned plus the equivalent of fifteen (15) days work by way of indemnity. If the domestic worker leaves without justifiable reason, any unpaid salary due not exceeding the equivalent fifteen (15) days work shall be forfeited. In addition, the employer may recover from the domestic worker costs incurred related to the deployment expenses, if any:

Provided,

That the service has been terminated within six (6) months from the domestic workers employment.

If the duration of the domestic service is not determined either in stipulation or by the nature of the service, the employer or the domestic worker may give notice to end the working relationship five (5) days before the intended termination of the service.

The domestic worker and the employer may mutually agree upon written notice to pre-terminate the contract of employment to end the employment relationship.

Section 33 — Termination Initiated by the Domestic Worker.→

Section 33.

Termination Initiated by the Domestic Worker.

The domestic worker may terminate the employment relationship at any time before the expiration of the contract for any of the following causes:

(a) Verbal or emotional abuse of the domestic worker by the employer or any member of the household;

(b) Inhuman treatment including physical abuse of the domestic worker by the employer or any member of the household;

(d) Violation by the employer of the terms and conditions of the employment contract and other standards set forth under this law;

(e) Any disease prejudicial to the health of the domestic worker, the employer, or member/s of the household; and

(f) Other causes analogous to the foregoing.

Section 34 — Termination Initiated by the Employer.→

Section 34.

Termination Initiated by the Employer.

An employer may terminate the services of the domestic worker at any time before the expiration of the contract, for any of the following causes:

(a) Misconduct or willful disobedience by the domestic worker of the lawful order of the employer in connection with the formers work;

(b) Gross or habitual neglect or inefficiency by the domestic worker in the performance of duties;

(d) Commission of a crime or offense by the domestic worker against the person of the employer or any immediate member of the employers family;

(e) Violation by the domestic worker of the terms and conditions of the employment contract and other standards set forth under this law;

(f) Any disease prejudicial to the health of the domestic worker, the employer, or member/s of the household; and

(g) Other causes analogous to the foregoing.

Section 35 — Employment Certification. →

Section 35.

Employment Certification.

Upon the severance of the employment relationship, the employer shall issue the domestic worker within five (5) days from request a certificate of employment indicating the nature, duration of the service and work performance.

ARTICLE VI

PRIVATE EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES

Section 36 — Regulation of Private Employment Agencies (PEAs). →

Section 36.

Regulation of Private Employment Agencies (PEAs).

The DOLE shall, through a system of licensing and regulation, ensure the protection of domestic workers hired through the PEAs.

The PEA shall be jointly and severally liable with the employer for all the wages, wage-related benefits, and other benefits due a domestic worker.

The provision of Presidential Decree No. 442, as amended, otherwise known as the "Labor Code of the Philippines", on qualifications of the PEAs with regard to nationality, networth, owners and officers, office space and other requirements, as well as nontransferability of license and commission of prohibited practices, shall apply.

In addition, PEAs shall have the following responsibilities:

(a) Ensure that domestic workers are not charged or levied any recruitment or placement fees;

(b) Ensure that the employment agreement between the domestic worker and the employer stipulates the terms and conditions of employment and all the benefits prescribed by this Act;

(c) Provide a pre-employment orientation briefing to the domestic worker and the employer about their rights and responsibilities in accordance with this Act;

(d) Keep copies of employment contracts and agreements pertaining to recruited domestic workers which shall be made available during inspections or whenever required by the DOLE or local government officials;

(e) Assist domestic workers with respect to complaints or grievances against their employers; and

(f) Cooperate with government agencies in rescue operations involving abused or exploited domestic workers.

ARTICLE VII

SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES

Section 37 — Mechanism for Settlement of Disputes. →

Section 37.

Mechanism for Settlement of Disputes.

All labor-related disputes shall be elevated to the DOLE Regional Office having jurisdiction over the workplace without prejudice to the filing of a civil or criminal action in appropriate cases. The DOLE Regional Office shall exhaust all conciliation and mediation efforts before a decision shall be rendered.

Ordinary crimes or offenses committed under the Revised Penal Code and other special penal laws by either party shall be filed with the regular courts.

ARTICLE VIII

SPECIAL PROVISIONS

Section 38 — Information Program.→

Section 38.

Information Program.

The DOLE shall, in coordination with the DILG, the SSS, the PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG develop and implement a continuous information dissemination program on the provisions of this Act, both at the national and local level, immediately after the enactment of this law.

Section 39 — "Araw Ng Mga Kasambahay". The date upon which the President shall approve t→

Section 39.

"Araw Ng Mga Kasambahay". The date upon which the President shall approve this "Domestic Workers Act" shall be designated as the "Araw ng mga Kasambahay".

ARTICLE IX

PENAL AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 40 — Penalty. →

Section 40.

Penalty.

Any violation of the provisions of this Act declared unlawful shall be punishable with a fine of not less than Ten thousand pesos (

10,000.00) but not more than Forty thousand pesos (P40,000.00) without prejudice to the filing of appropriate civil or criminal action by the aggrieved party.

Section 41 — Transitory Provision; Non-Diminution of Benefits. →

Section 41.

Transitory Provision; Non-Diminution of Benefits.

All existing arrangements between a domestic worker and the employer shall be adjusted to conform to the minimum standards set by this Act within a period of sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act:

Provided,

That adjustments pertaining to wages shall take effect immediately after the determination and issuance of the appropriate wage order by the RTWPBs:

Provided, further,

That nothing in this Act shall be construed to cause the diminution or substitution of any benefits and privileges currently enjoyed by the domestic worker hired directly or through an agency.

Section 42 — Implementing Rules and Regulations.→

Section 42.

Implementing Rules and Regulations.

Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Labor and Employment, the Secretary of Social Welfare and Development, the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, and the Director General of the Philippine National Police, in coordination with other concerned government agencies and accredited nongovernment organizations (NGOs) assisting domestic workers, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

ARTICLE X

FINAL PROVISIONS

Section 43 — Separability Clause.→

Section 43.

Separability Clause.

If any provision or part of this Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 44 — Repealing Clause. →

Section 44.

Repealing Clause.

All articles or provisions of Chapter III (Employment of Househelpers) of Presidential Decree No. 442, as amended and renumbered by Republic Act No. 10151 are hereby expressly repealed. All laws, decrees, executive orders, issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 45 — Effectivity Clause.→

Section 45.

Effectivity Clause.

This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication in the

Official Gazette

or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

(Sgd.)

JUAN PONCE ENRILE

President of the Senate

(Sgd.)

FELICIANO BELMONTE JR.

Speaker of the House of Representatives

This Act which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 78 and House Bill No. 6144 was finally passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on November 27, 2012 and November 26, 2012, respectively.

(Sgd.)

EMMA LIRIO-REYES

Secretary of Senate

(Sgd.)

MARILYN B. BARUA-YAP

Secretary General

House of Representatives

Approved: JAN 18 2013

(Sgd.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III

President of the Philippines

The Lawphil Project - Arellano Law Foundation

Full text on BatasKo. Original source: Official Gazette / Lawphil.

Mayroon kang kasambahay sa bahay — alam mo ba ang kanyang mga karapatan?

Milyun-milyong Pilipino ang nagtatrabaho bilang kasambahay — mga yaya, cook, gardener, labandera. Sila ang nagpapatakbo ng mga tahanan. Pero marami sa kanila ang hindi alam ang kanilang mga karapatan. At marami ring employers ang hindi alam ang kanilang mga obligasyon.

Nandito ang Republic Act No. 10361, o ang Batas Kasambahay, para baguhin iyon.

ELI5 Summary: Ang Batas Kasambahay ay isang batas na nagbibigay ng legal na proteksyon sa lahat ng kasambahay sa Pilipinas — mula sa tamang sahod hanggang SSS, PhilHealth, at Pag-IBIG coverage. Kailangan ng written na kontrata. Hindi mo sila pwedeng parusahan sa pamamagitan ng pagkuha ng pagkain o tulog. Kapag nilabag ang kanilang mga karapatan, may habol sila sa DOLE.

Real Filipino Scenario: Ang Yaya ni Carlo

Carlo, 34, social worker sa Bacolod City, ay nagtrabaho nang ilang taon para sa isang NGO bago siya nagpasya na mag-hire ng full-time na yaya para sa kanyang dalawang anak. Nag-hire siya ng 22-anyos na kasambahay na nagmula sa lalawigan.

Mabait si Carlo at gusto niyang gawin ang tama — pero hindi siya sigurado kung ano ang tama.

Ayon sa Batas Kasambahay, obligado si Carlo na:

Gumawa ng written employment contract bago magsimula ang trabaho, na nasa wikang naiintindihan ng kanilang dalawa (Section 11)
Magbigay ng minimum wage — sa Negros Occidental, ito ay nakasalalay sa minimum wage order na naka-set ng Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board para sa kanyang rehiyon
Mag-enroll sa SSS, PhilHealth, at Pag-IBIG sa loob ng 30 araw mula sa simula ng trabaho (Section 30)
Magbigay ng tatlong beses na pagkain sa isang araw at maayos na lugar ng tulog (Section 6)

Ano ang gagawin ni Carlo: Pumunta sa pinakamalapit na DOLE office sa Bacolod para makakuha ng libreng model employment contract. I-download din ang SSS, PhilHealth, at Pag-IBIG registration forms. I-register ang kanyang kasambahay sa lahat ng tatlong ahensya bago matapos ang kanilang unang buwan.

What the Law Actually Says

Ang Republic Act No. 10361, o ang Batas Kasambahay, ay nilagdaan noong Enero 18, 2013. Ito ang pangunahing batas na nagpoprotekta sa mga domestic workers o kasambahay sa buong Pilipinas.

Sino ang covered? Ayon sa Section 3, lahat ng domestic workers na employed at nagtatrabaho sa loob ng bansa. Kasama rito ang:

General househelp
Yaya o nursemaid
Cook
Gardener
Labandera o laundry person

Hindi covered ang mga taong nagtatrabaho sa bahay nang paminsan-minsan lamang at hindi ito ang kanilang hanapbuhay (Section 4-d).

Ang mga pangunahing probisyon:

Section 5 — Bawal ang anumang uri ng pang-aabuso, physical violence, harassment, o pagbabago ng dignidad ng kasambahay.
Section 6 — Dapat magbigay ng tatlong beses na pagkain at maayos na lugar ng tulog. Bawal gamitin ang pagkuha ng pagkain bilang parusa.
Section 7 — May karapatang may privacy ang kasambahay sa lahat ng kanilang komunikasyon at personal na gamit.
Section 8 — May karapatang ma-access ang labas na komunikasyon sa oras ng pahinga. Sa emergency, kahit sa oras ng trabaho.
Section 9 — May karapatang mag-aral. Obligadong i-adjust ng employer ang schedule para payagan ito.
Section 11 — Kailangang may written employment contract bago magsimula ang trabaho. Dapat mayroong kopya ang kasambahay.
Section 22 — May karapatang sa isang (1) rest day kada linggo.
Section 29 — May karapatang sa five (5) days paid service incentive leave kada taon pagkatapos ng isang taon ng serbisyo.
Section 30 — Mandatory coverage sa SSS, PhilHealth, at Pag-IBIG para sa lahat ng kasambahay.

What This Means for You

Kung ikaw ay kasambahay, nangangahulugang ito:

Hindi ka alipin. Ikaw ay isang empleyado na may legal na karapatan. Pwede kang mag-reklamo sa DOLE kung hindi ka binibigyan ng tamang sahod, SSS contribution, o kung binubugbog ka.

May contract ka. Dapat ay may kopya ka ng iyong employment contract. Kung wala, pwede kang humingi ng DOLE model contract — libre ito.

May pahinga ka. Isang araw bawat linggo ang iyong rest day. Hindi ito pwedeng i-cancel ng employer nang walang iyong pahintulot.

May leave ka. Pagkatapos ng isang taon, may limang araw kang paid leave.

Kung ikaw naman ay employer, nangangahulugang ito:

Kailangan ng papel. Ang verbal agreement lang ay hindi sapat. Kailangan ng written contract.

Kailangan ng SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG. Hindi opsyonal ito. Kung hindi ka mag-remit, may multa ka.

Hindi pwedeng gamitin ang pagkain bilang parusa. Kahit anong ginawa ng iyong kasambahay, bawal mong i-withhold ang kanyang pagkain o tulog.

Real Filipino Scenario: Ang Mali ni Ramon

Ramon, 47, may sariling laundry shop sa Cotabato City. Nag-hire siya ng kasambahay para sa kanilang bahay sa likod ng tindahan — ang kasambahay ay tumutulong sa bahay at minsan-minsan ay nagtutulungan sa tindahan.

Akala ni Ramon, dahil "part ng pamilya" na ang kanilang kasambahay, hindi na kailangan ng formal na kontrata. Binibigyan niya ito ng pera araw-araw — kahit maliit lang — at pinapakain niya ito, kaya akala niya okay na.

Narito ang ilang maling akala ni Ramon:

Una, ang kasambahay na nagtatrabaho rin sa tindahan ay hindi awtomatikong hindi covered ng Batas Kasambahay. Kung ang pangunahing trabaho ay sa bahay, kasambahay pa rin siya.

Pangalawa, ang daily allowance lang na walang SSS, PhilHealth, at Pag-IBIG ay paglabag sa batas. Ang Section 30 ay malinaw: lahat ng kasambahay ay kailangang i-enroll sa tatlong ahensya.

Pangatlo, kung walang written contract, si Ramon ang mas vulnerable — dahil walang dokumentasyon ng kanilang napagkasunduan.

Ano ang gagawin ni Ramon: Gumawa ng written contract ngayon din, kahit matagal na ang kasambahay. I-enroll sa SSS, PhilHealth, at Pag-IBIG. Ang unpaid contributions ay pwedeng bayaran nang retroactive. Makiusap sa kasambahay at ipaliwanag ang sitwasyon nang maayos.

What Most Filipinos Get Wrong

Mali #1: "Kasama ng pamilya" ay nangangahulugang walang formal na karapatan.

Mali ito. Ang pagiging "part ng pamilya" ay isang sentimyento lamang — hindi isang legal na kategorya. Ang kasambahay ay empleyado pa rin na may karapatang sa minimum wage, SSS, at iba pa. Ang pagmamahal sa kanila ay pinakamaganda kapag may kasama pang legal na proteksyon.

Mali #2: Ang pagbabago ng channel ng TV o paggamit ng cellphone ay pwedeng dahilan para tanggalin ang kasambahay nang walang notice.

Ang kasambahay ay may karapatang sa proper termination process. Ayon sa batas, may notice period at may karapatang sa separation pay sa ilang sitwasyon. Hindi pwedeng basta palabasin sa bahay.

Mali #3: Kung ang kasambahay ay minor, hindi na kailangang sundin ang batas.

Mas maraming proteksyon ang minor na kasambahay. Ang Batas Kasambahay ay nagtatakda na ang mga bata na 15 hanggang 17 taong gulang ay tinatawag na "working children" at may dagdag pang proteksyon — bawal silang magtrabaho sa mapanganib na kondisyon, at kailangan silang payagang mag-aral (Section 4-h).

Mali #4: Ang deployment expenses ay pwedeng i-deduct sa sahod ng kasambahay.

Mali. Ayon sa Section 4-b, ang deployment expenses — na nagco-cover ng transportasyon mula sa pinagmulan patungo sa trabaho — ay hindi pwedeng i-deduct sa sahod. Ito ay obligasyon ng employer.

Mali #5: Ang kasambahay ay walang karapatang mag-reklamo sa employer.

Mali. Ang kasambahay ay pwedeng mag-file ng reklamo sa DOLE, sa barangay, o sa korte. May proteksyon sila laban sa retalyasyon.

Para sa OFW / For OFWs

Kung ikaw ay isang OFW na nagtatrabaho bilang kasambahay sa ibang bansa, ang Batas Kasambahay (RA 10361) ay hindi direktang applicable sa iyong sitwasyon — sapagkat ang batas na ito ay para sa mga kasambahay na nagtatrabaho sa loob ng Pilipinas.

Pero hindi ka walang proteksyon.

Kung OFW kasambahay ka (abroad):

Ang iyong pangunahing proteksyon ay dumadating mula sa:

Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act (RA 10022) — ang pangunahing batas para sa lahat ng OFW
POEA Standard Employment Contract (SEC) — ang minimum na kondisyon na dapat nasa iyong kontrata bago ka lumabas ng bansa
Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO/MWO) — ang opisina ng pamahalaan sa bansang pinagtratrabahuhan mo. Dito ka pwedeng lumapit kung may problema sa iyong employer

Konkretong hakbang:

Alamin kung may POLO/MWO sa bansang pinagtratrabahuhan mo. Makikita ang listahan sa DMW website (dmw.gov.ph).
Kung may abuso, lumapit sa pinakamalapit na Philippine Embassy o Consulate. May Legal Assistance Fund (LAF) sila para tulungan ang OFWs.
Kung bago pa lang aalis, siguraduhing ang iyong kontrata ay POEA-verified at naglalaman ng tamang kondisyon bago mag-sign.
I-maintain ang iyong SSS, PhilHealth, at Pag-IBIG bilang voluntary member kahit nasa abroad ka — para kapag umuwi ka, may benepisyo ka.

Kung ikaw ay employer na nag-hire ng kasambahay dito sa Pilipinas habang nasa abroad ka:

Mananagot ka pa rin sa Batas Kasambahay. Ang pagkakaroon ng kasambahay sa inyong bahay sa Pilipinas — kahit ikaw ay nasa ibang bansa — ay nangangahulugang may obligasyon kang sumunod sa batas. Pwede kang magtawag sa DOLE hotline sa 1349 para sa gabay.

Real Filipino Scenario: Ang Kasambahay sa Bahay ng OFW

Jasmine, 38, engineer na nagtatrabaho sa Canada, ay may bahay sa Cebu City kung saan nakatira ang kanyang mga magulang. Nag-hire sila ng kasambahay para tulungan ang mga matatanda.

Akala ni Jasmine, dahil nasa Canada siya, hindi siya ang responsableng employer — ang kanyang mga magulang ang may responsibilidad. Pero ang pera ay galing sa kanya, at siya ang nagpapasya ng sahod at kondisyon.

Sa ilalim ng Batas Kasambahay, ang taong nag-engage at nagko-control ng serbisyo ng kasambahay ang employer (Section 4-e). Sa sitwasyon ni Jasmine, kahit saan siya nakatira, siya ang employer kung siya ang nagbabayad at nagdidikta ng kondisyon.

Obligasyon ni Jasmine:

Kailangan ng written employment contract — pwede itong gawin ng kanyang mga magulang bilang kanyang kinatawan
SSS, PhilHealth, at Pag-IBIG contributions ay kailangang bayaran — pwedeng gawin ito ng kanyang mga magulang sa ngalan niya
Ang minimum wage ay dapat sundin — hindi dahil mababa ang pamumuhay sa probinsya ay pwedeng mas mababa ang sahod

Ano ang gagawin ni Jasmine: Makipag-ugnayan sa DOLE Cebu office. Magtayo ng clear na setup kung sino ang gumaganap bilang kanyang kinatawan para sa mga obligasyon. I-download ang SSS, PhilHealth, at Pag-IBIG forms at siguraduhing naka-enroll

RELATED RIGHTS

Labor Rights

Night Worker Rights Philippines 2011 — BatasKo ELI5

Labor Rights

Termination Pay Law Philippines — BatasKo ELI5

Labor Rights

13th Month Pay Tax Exemption Philippines 2015 — BatasKo ELI5

Labor Rights

PESO Public Employment Service Office Philippines 2015 — BatasKo ELI5

Legal disclaimer: BatasKo provides general legal information, not legal advice. For your specific situation, consult a licensed Filipino lawyer or the Public Attorney's Office (PAO).

← Browse all Republic Acts