Senator Alan Peter Cayetano has filed a bill seeking to strengthen the rights and welfare of domestic workers by improving access to education, healthcare, and social protection.
Senate Bill No. 418 or the Enhanced Batas Kasambahay Act builds on Republic Act No. 10361 and addresses ongoing issues such as low wages, lack of healthcare support, and limited opportunities for skills development.
“Kasambahays play a vital role in Filipino households. Through their hard work and care, they ensure the comfort, stability, and well-being of the families they serve,” said Cayetano.
The bill mandates employers to allow kasambahays at least one hour per day, or six hours per week, of paid time for continuing or skills-based education. To support this, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) would launch a program to provide internet-enabled devices to kasambahays.
An inter-agency committee, composed of DOLE, TESDA, DepEd, and CHED, will oversee the creation of learning modules, ensure access despite tech limitations, and protect both employer and worker rights.
The bill also proposes free maintenance medicine for chronic illnesses such as diabetes, asthma, and hypertension, to be sourced by LGUs and covered under PhilHealth’s National Health Insurance Program.
It also seeks stricter enforcement of employer obligations to register kasambahays under SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG, and improves access to grievance mechanisms for abuse or exploitation cases.
“No one should remain a kasambahay for life simply because they were never given the chance to grow. By investing in their development, we invest in a more inclusive, just, and forward-moving society,” said Cayetano.IMT
