A proposed measure amending the celebrated Republic Act (RA) No.10361 or the "Batas Kasambahay" of 2013 has been approved on second reading in the House of Representatives.
Approved on second reading during the plenary session on Monday night, Nov. 21 was House Bill (HB) No.4477, or the proposed Act establishing greater responsibility and accountability from private employment agencies, amending for the purpose RA No.10361, also known as the Domestic Workers' Act.
Deputy Speaker and Pampanga 3rd district Rep. Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales Jr., who presided over the session, announced the second reading approval of the measure after a simple voice vote (ayes vs. nayes).
Endorsed to the plenary by the House Committee on Labor and Employment, HB No.4477 seeks to impose greater responsibility and accountability from private employment agencies that offer the service of domestic helpers to better safeguard the persons of the employers and their families.
The measure mandates private employment agencies to ensure that the domestic helper they place with the employer has no criminal record and that there is sufficient information on the bonafide residence and family background supported by relevant documents.
It also provides that the private employment agencies shall be jointly liable in relation to any criminal act committed by the domestic worker against the employer in the course of the domestic worker’s employment.
Such accountability shall cease after one year from the first day of the domestic worker’s employment with the employer.
The plenary's passage of HB No.4477 Monday paves the way for its possible approval on third and final reading next week.
Among the authors of the bill are Davao City 1st district Rep. Paolo Duterte, San Jose del Monte City lone district Rep. Florida Robes, Bataan 1st district Rep. Geraldine Roman, 1-Rider Party-list Rep. Bonifacio Bosita, and Albay 1st district Rep. Edcel Lagman.