James Edward A.

Hernandez II E11 Mutual Companionship Introduction Having someone take care of everything inside the house is a privilege to most busy people who can afford to employ a kasambahay, or a domestic helper. They basically serve our basic house needs in terms of daily work such as cooking, cleaning, and caring for the children and the elderly. More to that, they employ other subjective services which the employer may need. On the other hand, there are inevitable cases of domestic abuse which elevate concerns about the kasambahay. These abuses involve physical and emotional degradation mostly by the employers. One example was last September 2012, when a couple was detained after blinding the maid with a hot iron while describing the act as a special treatment (Aurelio, 2012). This act of brutality accounts for action, but other such abuses are happening along with this. Last 2010, the Magna Carta for the Kasambahay was approved by the previous president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, which served as a major basis of the recently enacted Kasambahay Law last January 2013. This paved the way towards the aim of the government in protecting the rights of kasambahay inside and outside their work environment. The employer has rights over the kasambahay. However, the law emphasized the specific extents up to which the employer can do to recognize them as abusive. In the viewpoint of the employer, the law provided the same purpose. Republic Act 10361, or most commonly known as the Kasambahay Law, creates a fair stand for the employer of the kasambahay. I. Main Idea I The Kasambahay Law values the human rights of the kasambahay, as well as the employer. a. The employer cannot speak derogatory words to the kasambahay in any way. b. The employer cannot assign tedious work to the kasambahay when he/she is suffering physical illness. c. Privacy is now a requirement for both parties. The law sets parameters which displays the wage system for the kasambahay, which encourage the employer to be responsible. a. A minimum wage of P2500 for kasambahays working in the National Capital Region serves as a

10

II.

III.

limitation for the employers not to underpay their kasambahays. b. The wage system promotes affordability through responsibility of low-earning employers planning for a family. c. When the kasambahay leaves, costs are forfeited. Kasambahay Law enacts security methods for the employer against possible crime. a. The document requirements of the kasambahay signify credentials to ensure identification. b. The law draws a line between employeremployee relations in terms of employment termination. c. The employers have a unique number which is to be used for kasambahay pension and contributions.