Low turnout noted in house help list up

The Department of Labor and Employment in Negros Oriental yesterday reported a low turnout in the registration of “kasambahays”, or domestic helpers, and employers, that was held at the Quezon Park in Dumaguete City Sunday.

Senior Labor and Employment officer, Sandra Delfin, said only 127 house helpers and 12 employers availed of the free services at the one stop shop that was held as part of the “Kasambahay Day” celebration.

Of the registrants, 46 were males and 81 females, and the employers who enrolled them were all females, she added.

Under Republic Act 10361, or the Domestic Workers Act of 2013, January 18 of each year is designated as the “Kasambahay Day”, but due to unforeseen circumstances, the commemoration was delayed for about a week, Delfin said.

She said the event aims to make it easier for the house helpers and employees to enroll for benefits under the law, such as those of the Social Security System, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and Pag-IBIG.

This is the first Kasambahay Day, and we are trying to increase the awareness of our employers and their domestic workers on their benefits, she added.

Delfin said it is the barangays that are in the forefront of the list-up, and a “kasambahay desk” is required at each barangay hall.

Mandatory registration of “kasambahays” is year-round, although the activity Sunday would have eased the burden of the domestic worker and the employer to have to visit the offices of various agencies since these had established desks at the Quezon Park.

Present at the celebration were personnel from the Dumaguete Public Employment Service Office, non-government organizations Visayan Forum and SUMAPI, and the St. Paul University.

Those who registered were treated to some freebies, such as picture-taking at a photo booth, massage and haircut by soldiers of the Philippine Army, and free calls.

Delfin urged domestic workers and employers to heed the call on the mandatory enrolment of “kasambahays”.

Workers receiving a monthly pay of P5,000 and above will have to pay a counterpart contribution alongside their employer, while for those getting below P5,000, the employer will have to shoulder the SSS, Pag-IBIG and PhilHealth contributions, she added.*JFP