|
|
7.D.3. Children Domestic Helpers:
Based on the Labour Force Survey as well as the National Survey on Children, there are 766,200 domestic workers in the Philippines and approximately 30% are in the National Capital Region. Most of the domestics are young , between 10-24 years old and are predominantly female (86%). They have no or low education, at most high school. In general, young domestics (10 to 14 years old), are numerous in the provinces while NCR has a higher number of older ones (15 to 19 years old). The implication is that most domestics started out working outside the NCR. The domestics come from low income families having five to eight members, predominantly from Regions 7 and 11. They are recruited either through their relatives, townmates or their employers.
| Current Work Conditions: |
The pay for domestics is usually low ranging from 800 pesos
to 1,200 pesos a month. There is lack of benefits like social security, medical and sick leave benefits. An interviews showed that when domestics get sick, they are made to sleep along corridors of condominiums. The Survey on Child Domestics in Metro Manila shows that child domestics serve employers in all socio-economic status (Class A,B,C,D) with 4 to 5 household members. The reasons for migration to the metropolis and their employment include poverty, family dysfunction, civil war, military penetration, and geographic displacement due to urbanization in provinces. They work for long hours, averaging 12 to 15 hours. They wake up very early, usually before 6 a.m. and sleep late at night. Their workload is generally heavy like doing all household chores (laundry, ironing, scrubbing), babysitting and helping in their employers' businesses. All-around job is common among middle income employers. Domestics are also subjected to sexual, verbal and physical abuses from employers as well as from co-workers due to jealousy, competition and gender issues. There are those that are in bonded servitude. They have limited day-offs and lack opportunities for schooling. Their experience reinforces a lifetime cycle of domestication. They tend to stay with a specific employer for a short duration, an average tenure of 10.1 months. The exit from work is determined by availability of opportunities, marriage, unsettled obligations and bondage servitude. Intolerable situations exist but are hardly monitored and reported because domestics generally have low esteem, are ignorant of their rights and have a negative impression of law enforcers and the judicial system. They are shy, intimidated and have a strong sense of fatalism. They tend to have a strong attachment to the children or their wards. Many of them would like to continue education. |
| Recommendation: |
(1) Socio-economic Reforms; (2) Raise Public Awareness
(3) Improvement of Present Guidelines such as - Minimum Age should be set at 15 years old, One day off per week is stipulated and a Vacation leave per year, Medical expenses should be paid by employers, Social Security Benefit must be paid by employer for those who have worked for at least one year, Minimum salary is set at P 1,000.00 for full time and P 600.00 for part time, Salary is adjustable if the employer sends the child to school, Education must be encouraged by employers deductible from salary or other benefits, Sanctions for the violators set by law.
|
Back to Index
|
