Millions of Domestic Workers Still without Insurance
Only a hundred and twenty thousand out of more than two million Filipinos working as domestic helpers in the country are registered with the SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG, a labor group survey revealed.
NovelitaPalisoc, leader of the United Domestic Workers in the Philippines, said that based on their survey, only a few domestic workers have SSS, Pag-IBIG, PhilHealth, while others register themselves as self-employed.
She claimed that many employers refuse to enroll their house help to insurance programs.
The Kasambahay Law entitles domestic helpers to standard employee benefits, including paid leave, a set minimum wage, and coverage in insurance programs.
In a recent report of CNN Philippines, the government said the problem is a lack of information, as many employers remain unaware of their obligations.
The report also added thatgetting weekly rest days also become difficult aside from insurance coverage for many domestic workers. Labor officials, on the other hand, said domestic workers can report employers to the barangay office, should abuses happen.
The government also admitted that protecting the rights of Filipinos working as domestic helpers abroad is a bigger challenge.
In 2014, about thirty eight percent of the total number of Overseas Filipino Workers is recorded as domestic workers, according to the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency.
Many Filipinos still choose to work as domestic helpers abroad setting the risk of abuse and other dangers aside because of lack of opportunities and meager labor salary in the country.