Trillanes backs speedy passage of Kasambahay bill

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Antonio Trillanes yesterday expressed full support for Senate President pro-tempore Jinggoy Estrada’s call for the passage of the Kasambahay bill to provide immediate protection to domestic workers in the country.

“I fully support Sen. Estrada in his advocacy to protect the rights of, and provide more benefits and better treatment for, our kasambahays,” he said.

If enacted into law, Trillanes said the landmark legislation will be a giant leap toward our country’s compliance with international labor standards which guarantee rights and humane treatment of domestic workers.

Fast-tracking the proposed measure augurs well for the Philippines after the Senate ratified the International Labor Organization Convention 189 on Decent Work for Domestic Workers last Aug. 6, he said.

According to Trillanes, the Philippines, which has always been in the forefront in promoting the rights of domestic workers in the international community, must ensure humane treatment to Filipino domestic workers in the country.

“Millions of our kababayans abroad working as domestic workers have already secured better treatment in some countries due to government pressure and diplomatic efforts. It is an imperative that we walk the talk and afford the same, if not better, kind of protection, rights and benefits to our own kababayans serving in the country,” the senator said.

Both chambers of Congress have yet to agree on the final version of the Kasambahay bill, which aims to institute a regulatory framework and various mechanisms to ensure compliance with labor law standards in the employment of domestic workers in the country.

Estrada had earlier expressed dismay that the Senate and the House of Representatives have not reached an agreement on the issue of putting into the law the P3,000 a month basic salary for workers in Metro Manila.

House majority leader Neptali Gonzales is reportedly insisting that the P 3,000 baseline salary should not be placed in the law. He said that the regional wage boards should identify how much salary should be given to house helpers.

The bill, if passed, will provide regulations governing the salary, employment contract, work schedule, health and other benefits of domestic workers employed in the country.

“These kasambahay who make our lives easier and more comfortable should be given the opportunity to improve their own lives and be afforded due respect and appreciation,” Trillanes said.