Kasambahay gets SSS, Pag-IbIg and PhilHealth benefits

I am about to give birth soon and we plan to get a yaya to help me take care of our baby. I live in Metro Manila and it is the first time we will hire a kasambahay. My husband and I would want to prepare our finances for this. aside from the monthly salary, are there other government-imposed benefits or incentives we would need to give? thank you.

Bibeth

Dear Bibeth,

Republic act (Ra) 10381, or the “Batas Kasambahay,” is the law governing both rights and liabilities of kasambahays and their employers. this law was instituted for the protection and welfare of domestic helpers.

to summarize, these are the most important rights of domestic helpers under the law:

SECtIon 1. Rights and Privileges of Kasambahay. — the rights and privileges of the Kasambahay are as follows:

(a) Minimum wage (P2,500) for those employed in the national Capital Region;

(b) other mandatory benefits, such as the daily and weekly rest periods, service incentive leave, and 13th month pay;

(c) Freedom from employers’ interference in the disposal of wages;

(d) Coverage under the SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG laws; x x x (IRR of Ra 10361).

according to the law, apart from the minimum wage and rest weekly rest periods (day-off), a kasambahay is also entitled to leaves. When the kasambahay has rendered at least one year of service, he/she shall be entitled to an annual leave of at least five days with pay, non-cumulative and not convertible to cash.

as regards 13th month pay, a kasambahay who has rendered at least one month of service is entitled to a 13th month pay, which shall not be less than one-twelfth (1/12) of his/her total basic salary earned in a calendar year.

Finally, a kasambahay who has rendered at least one month of service shall be covered by the Social Security System (SSS), Employees Compensation Commission (ECC), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and Pag-IBIG, and shall be entitled to all the benefits in accordance with their respective policies.