Approval of worker treaty eyed in 2012

THE GOVERNMENT is hoping to ratify an international agreement that sets standards for work conditions for domestic workers, a Cabinet official said yesterday.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda D. Baldoz made the commitment at the start of the regional conference on the ILO (International Labor Organization) Convention on Decent Work for Domestic Workers in Makati City.

“We are seeing a scenario where by Labor Day [May 1, 2012], we can have the instrument of ratification of the convention signed by the President and concurred by the Senate,” Ms. Baldoz said on the sidelines of the event when asked for a definite timeline.

The convention promotes basic rights of domestic workers, providing information on the terms of employment, at least one day off, minimum wage, safe and healthy working environment, and social security protection, among others.

A national tripartite action program has been launched that will require the conduct of consultations on the ILO document.

The nationwide consultations began late September and are expected to end early next year. A resolution will then be sent to the Department of Foreign Affairs which will prepare a ratification instrument for approval of the President and concurrence of the Senate.

Ms. Baldoz said the Labor department is coordinating with both Congress for the ratification of the ILO convention and the passage of the implementing rules under the Kasambahay (household help) Bill. The measure has been identified by President Benigno S. C. Aquino III as a priority. The proposal under Senate Bill 1141 has been approved on final reading, while the counterpart House Bill 1140 is pending at the committee on labor and employment.

“We are taking a very clear cue from the President’s [priority bills] since we are talking about 1.2 million domestic workers here in the Philippines,” she said.

Delegates at the convention have expressed hopes that the Philippines will be among one of the first countries to adopt the ILO convention, which was approved during the 100th International Labour Conference in June.

Alcestis A. Mangahas, deputy regional director for policy and programs of the ILO regional office for Asia and the Pacific, said that the Philippines was one of the staunch advocates for the passage of the convention and appears set to be one of the first countries to ratify, along with Brazil, Uruguay, Namibia and South Africa. A convention should be ratified by at least two countries to be considered a treaty.

“We have broad-based support from legislators, the Executive, civil society groups, employers, trade unions and business organizations, all supporting the convention, unlike in other countries, where there is only some support,” she said.

The three-day conference, which will conclude tomorrow, is expected to end with delegates from the Middle East, Southeast Asia, East Asia and South Asia formulating a plan on calling on their governments to ratify the convention. — N. R. Melican, Businessworld