House OKs bill declaring January 18 ‘Araw ng Kasambahay’

The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved on third and final reading a bill declaring January 18 a special non-working holding for "kasambahay," or domestic workers, in recognition and appreciation of their service to every family.

With a vote of 225 in the affirmative and zero in the negative, the chamber approved House Bill 6285, proposing the national celebration which will be known as "Araw ng Kasambahay."

Section 4(d) of RA 10361 or the “Domestic Workers Act” or “Batas Kasambahay” defines "kasambahay" as any person engaged in domestic work within an employment relationship such as, but not limited to, 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 bill provides that if the special day falls on a weekend, the special non-working holiday will be observed on a Friday of that week.

It also tasks the Secretary of Labor and Employment, with the Secretary of Education and Director-General of the Philippine Information Agency, to plan and implement activities for the information campaign to honor kasambahays.

If enacted, the law will take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Authors of the bill include Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas, Pangasinan Representative Marlyn Primicias-Agabas, Parañaque Representative Eric Olivarez, Abang Lingkod party-list Representative Joseph Stephen Paduano, and ABS party-list Representative Eugene Michael De Vera. — BM, GMA News