RTWPB worries over ‘Batas Kasambahay’ not being implemented in households

BY: ALWEN SALIRING
Correspondent

THE Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB-10) was dismayed upon learning that only 2000 more or less household employers in the region have followed the mandate of the Batas Kasambahay since it was signed into law in 2013.

Engr. Milbert Macarambon, RTWPB board member said that they are still hopeful that all household who have house helpers would abide the law.

“bata pa man kini nga balaod kinahanglan nato i-intensify ang information dissemination”, Macarambon said. kinahanglan ang barangay motabang sa pagpatuman kay sila man nakaila sa ilang mga constituents” he added.

Board member Rev. Prudencio Plaza Jr. said that this law is not practical because the government does not do anything to make it easier.

“kinahanglan dunay unified registration para sayon sa mga employers i-enrol ang ilang mga katabang sa ilang mga benefits like SSS, Philhealth and Pag-ibig”, he said.

RTWPB said the minimum monthly salary of the kasambahay is P2,500 for National Capital Region, P2,000 for cities and 1st class municipalities, and P1,500 for other municipalities.

Moreover, the employer should enrol their helpers to SSS, Philhealth and Pag-ibig benefits.

In case the employer would give additional assignment to the helper outside from the normal job, the helper is entitled for an additional compensation only if the helper can provide Tesda certificate that he/she has undergone trainings to do the job.

Under the law, the helper may terminate the contract if the ground is valid such as verbal and emotional abuse, inhuman treatment and the like, among others. Likewise, the employer can also terminate the contract if the helper was found to be committing a crime like stealing and if the helper is unproductive of the work, among other valid grounds.