Manila: Domestic workers are not allowed to engage in non-household work if they are not provided with a separate pay for it, an official of the Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns (BWSC) said Tuesday. BWSC Director Leilani Reynoso emphasized the provisions of Republic Act 10361, also known as the Batas Kasambahay, stating that domestic workers must receive separate wages for non-household duties.
According to Philippines News Agency, Reynoso highlighted in a radio interview that a domestic worker cannot be tasked with duties outside of their contract without an agreement for additional compensation. This setup requires an understanding between the employer and the domestic worker, ensuring that the worker earns extra income beyond their regular domestic duties.
The law, RA 10361, prohibits domestic workers from being assigned tasks in commercial, industrial, or agricultural enterprises. It mandates that any work performed outside the household should be compensated with an additional payment not less than the existing minimum wage rate.
Reynoso also emphasized the importance of providing domestic workers with social security benefits. These benefits include coverage by the Social Security System, Pag-IBIG, and PhilHealth. Moreover, domestic workers in a live-in arrangement are entitled to rest days, adequate accommodation, food, and medical attention.
"The rights and benefits of a domestic worker are provided by the law," Reynoso stated, reinforcing the legal protections meant to safeguard the welfare of domestic workers in the Philippines.
