Domestic workers rights advocates are pleased to share the good news to the world about the domestic workers bill in the Philippines and the Philippine ratification of ILO Convention 189 on Decent Work for Domestic Workers.

On 05 September 2012, the Philippine House of Representatives on its third and final reading approved House Bill (HB) 6144, a bill which when passed into law will provide protection for the 1.9 million domestic workers (kasambahay) in the country.

HB 6144 Kasambahay Bill seeks to provide domestic workers with decent board and lodging, and to ensure that domestic workers have access to basic education. It also guarantees that the privacy of domestic workers are respected as well as their right to a daily rest and weekly day off.

Meanwhile, the Senate version of the bill is still pending at the committee level. Once approved by the Senate, a bicameral conference committee session will convene to reconcile the Senate and the House versions. Upon approval of the bicameral conference committee, the bill will be returned to the House and Senate for ratification. The ratified bill will then be submitted to Malacanang for the signature of the President.

See links below for more details about the passing of the Bill:

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/09/05/12/lower-house-approves-kasambahay-bill

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/264788/house-approves-kasambahay-bill

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/272740/news/nation/house-oks-bill-protecting-rights-of-kasambahay

MFA highly regard the tireless efforts of the Philippine Technical Working Group, the Department of Labor and Employment and other civil society groups for its active engagement and for keeping a close watch of the process to ensure that the approval of the bill happens before the House adjourns its session.

Another good news happened yesterday with regard to the Philippine ratification of C189. The ILO Geneva officially announced that the Philippines has become the second country to ratify C189 which signals the entry into force of the Convention in twelve months’ time. If you will recall, on 6 August, the Philippine Senate concurred the ratification of C189. Under Philippine laws, the Senate is mandated to concur with all international treaties signed by the Executive Branch for these treaties to be in effect.

The official announcement of ILO with regard to the Philippine ratification can be found at this link: http://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/press-and-media-centre/news/WCMS_189191/lang–en/index.htm?shared_from=shr-tls

The first country to ratify the Convention was Uruguay. The official registration of their ratification happened on 14 June 2012, two days before the anniversary of the Convention.