Loren Legarda Files Bill To Bring Up Maids' Minimum Wage to P4,000 Plus Other Benefits

Recently, Senator Loren Legarda filed Senate Bill7, seeking to increase the minimum wage of household helpers or kasambahay to P4,000 and requiring all household working arrangements between employers and helpers to be documented, according to Manila Bulletin.

Dignity of Work

According to Legarda, the bill seeks to "acknowledge the inherent dignity and nobility of the work of our household helpers or our beloved kasambahays," considering their sacrifice in taking care of the needs of Filipino families.  She mentions that the promotion of their rights and benefits and the protenction of their welfare are but "small gestures compared to their collective contribution to society." She calls on her own experience with her Nanay Fely and how she was raised by her. Even now, she says, Nanay Fely "continues to take care of my family."

Components of the Bill

What exactly comprises the bill's components? If it will be passed, these are some of the things employers will have to take into consideration.

• Minimum wage - This will be brought up to P4,000.
• Other Benefits - 13th month pay, SSS membership, PhilHealth membership, maternity benefit, deployment expenses
• Signed contract - This covers "the period of employment, which shall not exceed two years; monthly compensation and mode of payment; annual salary increase; duties and responsibilities; working hours and day-off schedule; and living quarters or sleeping arrangements."
• Other provisions - standard of treatment, prohibitions on labor sub-contracting, prohibitions on recruitment and finder’s fees,  special provision on minor helpers and provisions for their basic necessities.

It is yet to be seen if this bill will be passed. A similar bill was filed by Senator Jinggoy Estrada in November of 2007. However its counterpart bill was not passed in the House of Representatives.
What's your take on this Senate Bill? Do you think it should pass as it is? Are there any improvements or revisions you want our lawmakers to take into consideration?