‘Ratification of ILO Convention a milestone for OFWs’

Manila, Philippines – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) sees the Senate’s ratification of the International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention as a milestone for over two million Filipino domestic workers here and abroad as they join the ranks of formal workers.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said yesterday’s ratification was “historic” for the Philippines because it would put the country on the forefront of global efforts to promote decent and productive work for household service workers.

“The Convention requires the ratification of at least two member states before its entry into force, which means Uruguay’s ratification of Convention 189 last June turns the spotlight on the Philippines as the second ratifying ILO member state. So, this puts the Philippines in a unique position with regards the entry into force of ILO Convention 189,” Baldoz said.

She said the full ratification by the Philippines of the Convention also raises the bar of protection for all Filipino household service workers, domestic and overseas.

“This is a rich reward and a happy culmination of our national collective effort to have this Convention approved at the ILO and then ratified for it to take effect. And we thank all our senators for giving our household service workers the dignity they deserve,” Baldoz said.

ILO Convention 189 sets new international standards for the protection of household helpers. The new ILO instrument, which defines domestic work as work performed in or for a household or households, covers all domestic workers and provides special measures to protect those workers who, because of their young age or nationality or live-in status, may be exposed to additional risks relative to their peers, among others.

Under ILO Convention 189, household workers should be given “reasonable working hours, weekly rest of at least 24 consecutive hours, clear information on terms and conditions of employment, as well as respect for fundamental principles, including freedom of association, and the right to collective bargaining.”

“The country’s household service workers estimated at close to 2.5 million can look forward to better salaries, to safe and healthy working conditions, and other benefits. They will now be regarded as members of the formal labor sector, with general protection from abuse and exploitation and their contributions to our socio-economic development recognized,” Baldoz said.

Overwhelming Senate support

Sen. Loren Legarda, chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, hailed the Senate’s concurrence in the ratification of the ILO Convention 189.

The senator cited records of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), which showed that the deployment of domestic workers is increasing year-to-year. In 2011, newly hired overseas Filipino domestic workers breached the 100,000 mark (136,000) for the first time in Philippine history.

She said that through the Convention, the government can provide stronger protection and greater support to Filipino domestic workers here and abroad.

“Our kasambahays will now be recognized as legitimate workers, not slaves, and be accorded decent working conditions, just compensation and sufficient benefits they greatly deserve,” Legarda said.

All 20 senators present during the voting concurred in the ratification of the Convention. –Mayen Jaymalin (The Philippine Star)