PH successfully chairs ILO Committee on Domestic Workers

Geneva – Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz, who is currently here attending the 100th International Labor Organization conference, yesterday reported that the Philippines has successfully chaired the ILO’s Committee on Domestic Workers which had adopted a report containing the proposed Convention and Recommendation concerning decent work for domestic workers.

“I am pleased to report that DOLE Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac, representing the Philippines, has successfully steered to conclusion the work of the Committee on Domestic Workers, ending almost two weeks of continuous serious debate on the provisions of the two standard-setting instruments and adopting the Committee report for the consideration by the ILO Conference,” said Secretary Baldoz.

Baldoz described the proposed Convention and Recommendation on Domestic Workers as landmark instruments that would lead to worldwide recognition of domestic work as decent work by ensuring domestic workers’ protection, equal rights, and equal opportunities.

“We are proud of the work of the Philippines in shaping this historic ILO instruments. Through the Committee chaired by Usec Cacdac, we have demonstrated leadership in the promotion of equal rights, equal opportunities, and the protection of domestic workers all over the world,” Baldoz said.

She welcomed the adoption by the Committee of the proposed Convention and Recommendation, saying it affirms Philippine national policy of promoting and protecting the rights of Filipino domestic workers everywhere.

She also expressed confidence the ILO will adopt the instruments in plenary and said she expected the ILO to immediately initiate actions towards the Convention’s and the Recommendation’s widest ratification and observance.

Baldoz, together with the Philippine delegation to the Committee headed by Undersecretary Lourdes Trasmonte who, herself, presided over the Committee’s meeting last year as chairperson, witnessed the adoption and closing statements by governments and the social partners.

The Committee on Domestic Workers met for its first sitting on 01 June 2011. It was originally composed of 209 members (102 Government members, 35 Employer members, and 72 Worker members).

The agenda of the 99th Session of the International Labor Conference in 2010 included an item on decent work for domestic workers, which can be traced back to 2008 when the ILO Governing Board, in its 301st Session in March 2008, decided to place such an item on the agenda of the 99th Session of the ILC in 2010 for a double discussion leading to the adoption of international labor standards on decent work for domestic workers.

The ILO has considered necessary to adopt international standards on decent work for domestic workers given the historical and continued exploitation of domestic workers, mainly women and girls, and their exclusion from social protection. It is widely believed that setting new standards on domestic work presents an unprecedented opportunity for the ILO to break into the informal economy and deliver decent work to millions of the world’s most vulnerable workers.

ILO Director General Juan Somavia had thanked and congratulated the Philippines for its successful chairing of the Committee, Baldoz said.

“Undersecretary Cacdac himself had received unanimous appreciation from the members of the Committee for his good and effective chairing of the Committee,” she said.

The report of the Domestic Workers Committee will be present to the ILC at plenary session on 15 June 2011 for a vote and adoption. –DOLE-LCO