Posted at 06/14/2012 4:48 PM | Updated as of 06/14/2012 4:48 PM
MANILA, Philippines - Senate foreign relations committee chair Loren
Legarda is set to sponsor on the Senate floor, when session resumes in
July, an international treaty protecting domestic workers' rights.
During a hearing on the convention on Thursday, various government agencies and nongovernment organizations voiced support for the International Labor Organization's (ILO) Convention no. 189 or the Decent Work for Domestic Workers Convention, which declares universal rights for domestic workers all over the world.
They said it will protect the rights of domestic helpers in the Philippines and especially abroad, where there are many cases of abuse.
President Aquino ratified the convention last May 18. It needs the concurrence of at least two-thirds of all senators.
“Once the Convention is enacted, domestic workers will finally be able to legally ask for contracts describing their wage, work hours, days off, and other work terms and conditions, and they will be able to ask for minimum wage,” Legarda said in a statement.
So far, Uruguay is the only country that has ratified the convention.
Undersecretary Esteban Conejos Jr. of the Department of Foreign Affairs said other countries still have reservations about it because of its obligations, but that the Philippines can set a good example.
“The important thing is to get this convention into force, and then other countries will be watching our actions here, how we are going to move and convince other countries," he said.
During a hearing on the convention on Thursday, various government agencies and nongovernment organizations voiced support for the International Labor Organization's (ILO) Convention no. 189 or the Decent Work for Domestic Workers Convention, which declares universal rights for domestic workers all over the world.
They said it will protect the rights of domestic helpers in the Philippines and especially abroad, where there are many cases of abuse.
President Aquino ratified the convention last May 18. It needs the concurrence of at least two-thirds of all senators.
“Once the Convention is enacted, domestic workers will finally be able to legally ask for contracts describing their wage, work hours, days off, and other work terms and conditions, and they will be able to ask for minimum wage,” Legarda said in a statement.
So far, Uruguay is the only country that has ratified the convention.
Undersecretary Esteban Conejos Jr. of the Department of Foreign Affairs said other countries still have reservations about it because of its obligations, but that the Philippines can set a good example.
“The important thing is to get this convention into force, and then other countries will be watching our actions here, how we are going to move and convince other countries," he said.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment