Dedicated household workers to get recognition

Household workers, locally known as “kasambahay,” may soon get a welldeserved recognition for their hard work and dedication with the launch yesterday of the search for top five kasambahay nationwide.

“This is the least credited workforce, they (household workers) are taken for granted,” GP Valencia, national director and chairman of Junior Chamber International (JCI) Senate Philippines, Inc., said at the launching of the “Kasambahay, Kasambuhay Philippine Awards.” It aims to recognize top dedicated Filipino household service workers.

In a press conference in San Juan City yesterday, Valencia said that under the project, the Filipino household workers will not just be given awards, but it will give the lowly workers the rare opportunity to receive recognition for their work.

“Maramdaman nila na may pride sa work nila. Kasambahay sila but it is a respectful job (They should feel that there is pride in their work. They are household servants but it is a respectful job),” Valencia said.

The search that will run until June 30, 2016 will attempt to draw inspirational life lessons from the lives and accomplishments of the household workers – yayas (nannies), cleaners, cooks, laundry workers, drivers, gardeners – who have been serving their employers for not less than 10 years.

The search aims to recognize and focus on the importance and the dignity of the role of the household service worker to promote awareness of their rights and privileges under the Domestic Workers Act and to likewise protect them against abuses such as labor forces and discrimination, Valencia said.

Valencia said the nominees, who should be nominated by their employers, must be a Filipino kasambahay, must have worked for a minimum of 10 years for his current employer, has no criminal record, and willing to travel to Puerto Princesa, Palawan, where the awarding will be held.