Senate to probe abuse of house helpers in PHL

The Senate will investigate cases of abused house helpers in the country and how the different government agencies have been handling them. 

 

"To some it may be insignificant but to this chamber this is a very important matter...social concern of the Senate," Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said during Tuesday’s Senate session.

 

Enrile made the suggestion after Senate President Jinggoy Estrada recounted, in his privilege speech, the story of a 21-year-old domestic helper who was repeatedly beaten by her Quezon City-based employer.

 

"Ang pagmamalabis na ito ay hindi natin dapat palampasin, nararapat lamang na magkaroon ng karampatang kaparusahan ang mga ganitong uri ng tao," said Estrada.

 

Estrada's privilege speech was referred to the Senate committees on justice and human rights and labor, employment, and human resource development.

 

With the Senate probe, Enrile said they hope to determine which government agency should handle these kinds of problems and what other measures need to be passed.

 

Kasambahay Bill

 

Estrada also said that there is a need to pass legislation that will protect house helpers.

 

Estrada was the principal author of Senate Bill No. 78, also known as the Kasambahay Bill. The Senate had passed the bill but it is still pending in the House of Representatives. 

 

"Malaki po ang maitutulong nito upang maisulong at maprotektahan ang mga karapatan at kapakanan ng mga kasambahay na tulad ni Bonita Baran," he said.

 

Senator Loren Legarda, who had earlier authored a similar bill, also called on the Senate to concur with the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 189, the convention concerning decent work for domestic workers.

 

“Through this Convention we can provide stronger protection and greater support to our local and migrant domestic workers because ILO Convention 189 obliges ratifying states to provide decent working conditions, just compensation and sufficient benefits to domestic workers,” she said. — DVM, GMA News