Philippines achieved decent work for domestic workers – ILO

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines is one of eight countries that has achieved much in improving the living and working conditions of domestic helpers, the International Labor Organization (ILO) has reported.

Outgoing Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the ILO also recognized the Philippines for having implemented many decent work programs for domestic workers.

Citing an ILO report, Baldoz said the Philippines achieved 15 or more decent work program results from 2014 to 2015.

During those years, ILO said, a total of 774 results in 137 ILO member states and territories across all regions have been achieved.

It added that 69 member states have achieved 10 or more results while eight member states, including the Philippines, achieved at least 15 or more results.

The seven others are Cambodia, China, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Vietnam and Zambia.

According to ILO, the Philippines has strengthened the mechanisms to implement its national legal framework for domestic workers and enhanced the capacities of the government and social partners.

“We welcome the ILO director general’s report as it affirms the comprehensive and sustained efforts of the Philippines in achieving decent work with ILO’s support,” Baldoz said.

Based on the ILO report on “Outcome 5 Working Condition,” the Philippines has adopted policies or implemented strategies to promote or improve more equitable working conditions, especially for the most vulnerable workers.

Baldoz said the ILO noted that the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) has promulgated the Rules of Procedure on Minimum Wage Fixing for Domestic Workers, which brought the domestic minimum wage review and adjustment process within the national minimum wage adjustment system for all other workers.

“In addition, the Report noted the NWPC’s advisory on competency-based wage for domestic workers it issued on Feb. 24, 2015, which aimed to compensate domestic workers for any additional qualifications they might earn,” Baldoz explained. 

“In these issuances, the ILO provided the NWPC, an attached agency of the DOLE, with technical inputs on domestic work and minimum wage setting for domestic workers,” she added.