With House Bill No. 6144, or the "Kasambahay Bill" passing its third and final reading in the House of Representatives, around two million domestic workers might soon enjoy standardized minimum wage and other basic benefits like health care, vacation leaves, and basic necessities.

According to an article on Inquirer.net, the bill mandates employers to enter into a contract with their helpers specifying the terms of the latter's employment and job responsibilities. It will also require employers to provide for their helpers’ lodging, board, basic education, and medical needs. Employers are also not allowed to place their helper under debt bondage, nor are they allowed to employ minors to work for them.

As the bill was unanimously approved in Congress, it will now be consolidated with its counterpart in the Senate, which was passed in December 2010. Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, who authored the senate version, said he is hoping that President Benigno Aquino III will sign the bill into law by the year’s end.


(Photo by Brian Turner via Flickr Creative Commons)