A measure seeking to increase the minimum wage of “kasambahay” or household helpers is now pending deliberations by the Senate as it resumes session on July 26.

Senator Loren Legarda filed Senate Bill 7 seeking to peg the minimum wage of household helpers to P4,000 and requiring all household working arrangements between employer and the helper documented.

A similar bill, Senate Bill 78, was earlier refiled by Sen. Jinggoy Estrada last July 1. Estrada’s bill was previously Senate Bill 1662 that was approved by the Senate on November 5, 2007, but its counterpart bill was not passed by the House of Representatives.

Legarda said the bill aims “to acknowledge the inherent dignity and nobility of the work of our household helpers or our beloved kasambahays" and consider "their sacrifice" in taking care and catering to the needs of other families.

"The promotion of their rights, giving them more benefits, and protecting their welfare are but small gestures compared to their collective contribution to society," said Legarda.

The bill also proposed that household helpers be entitled to a 13th month pay, membership to the Social Security System, Philippine Health Insurance Corp., vacation leave, maternity benefits, and deployment expenses.

It also stipulates that each contracting party – the employer and the “kasambahay” – should be provided with a complete set of the duly signed contract of service,” which covers the period of employment, which shall not exceed two years; monthly compensation and mode of payment; annual salary increase; duties and responsibilities; working hours and day-off schedule; and living quarters or sleeping arrangements.

“One of the most influential persons in my life is my own Nanay Fely, and to this day, even if I have already two children, she continues to take care of my family,” said Legarda who recalled how she was raised by her nanny.

“Domestic helpers enable us to fully pursue our social and economic activities. In some homes, they are overworked and even poorly compensated," she said. "Recognizing them as an invaluable contribution to our society by acknowledging their financial and physical needs is long due.”

Senate Bill 7 also enumerates the rights and privileges that should be accorded to “kasambahays” with a special provision for minor helpers.

The bill also provides for the standard of treatment, prohibitions on labor sub-contracting, prohibitions on recruitment and finder’s fees, and provisions for their basic necessities.

There are also instances, Legarda said that helpers not only become “companions at home” but are also pushed to perform the role of being second mother to children whose mothers are working professionally. "It is about time that they be given the compensation and benefits they deserve."