THOUGHTSKOTO

Sunday, January 29, 2017

EMPLOYERS, BE CAREFUL HOW YOU TREAT YOUR HOUSEHOLD SERVICE WORKERS

Being a household service worker (HSW), housemaids, (as their employers call them), in an unfamiliar country with unfamiliar people and culture could be a nightmare. You will come to experience unforgiving treatments and unorthodox rules. You will not understand the hardships they need to overcome everyday from the moment they arrived in their sponsor's house, unless of course you become an OFW.

Most of the OFW HSWs especially those deployed in the Middle east complain of not having a day-off, passports being withheld by the sponsor and unfavorable working conditions. In Kuwait, some HSWs enjoy their day off only once in a year, during Christmas.
There was even a HSW who's photo became viral in social media. The family of her sponsor was happily enjoying their meal while the poor HSW was watching at a distance.

With the recent execution of a HSW in Kuwait, Jakatia Pawa, who allegedly killed her sponsor's 22 year-old daughter, the call for deployment ban on HSWs in the Middle East has once again been a hot issue. DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III assured that they will release a decision regarding this matter, but, according to him, in an appropriate time.

Sponsors may have forgotten that HSWs are human beings with feelings and they also know how to get tired, to cry. They are human beings that needs to be understood and to be treated with respect.

However, some HSWs are lucky enough to be treated well, some of them being treated by the employers as one of their own. They can impart Filipino values to their sponsor's kids.

Whether they accept it or not, Filipina maids (HSWs) especially the nannies, can influence the lives of the children they are taking care of. How they treat their housemaids can make an impact on how their children will treat even their future housemaids, without changing how the employers treat them, this problem will go on and on for generations.
All they need to do is to step back and stop treating HSWs as slaves. Start treating them right. they are human beings and they need to be regarded as such.
They are taking care of other people's children while their own children are miles back, growing up longing for their love and care.

Read More:

China's plans to hire Filipino household workers to their five major cities including Beijing and Shanghai, was reported at a local newspaper Philippine Star. it could be a big break for the household workers who are trying their luck in finding greener pastures by working overseas China is offering up to P100,000 a month, or about HK$15,000. The existing minimum allowable wage for a foreign domestic helper in Hong Kong is around HK$4,310 per month. Dominador Say, undersecretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), said that talks are underway with Chinese embassy officials on this possibility. China’s five major cities, including Beijing, Shanghai and Xiamen will soon be the haven for Filipino domestic workers who are seeking higher income. DOLE is expected to have further negotiations on the launch date with a delegation from China in September. according to Usec Say, Chinese employers favor Filipino domestic workers for their English proficiency, which allows them to teach their employers’ children. Chinese embassy officials also mentioned that improving ties with the leadership of President Rodrigo Duterte has paved the way for the new policy to materialize. There is presently a strict work visa system for foreign workers who want to enter mainland China. But according Usec. Say, China is serious about the proposal. Philippine Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello said an estimated 200,000 Filipino domestic helpers are presently working illegally in China. With a great demand for skilled domestic workers, Filipino OFWs would have an option to apply using legal processes on their desired higher salary for their sector. Source: ejinsight.com, PhilStar Read More: The effectivity of the Nationwide Smoking Ban or E.O. 26 (Providing for the Establishment of Smoke-free Environment in Public and Enclosed Places) started today, July 23, but only a few seems to be aware of it. President Rodrigo Duterte signed the Executive Order 26 with the citizens health in mind. Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the executive order is a milestone where the government prioritize public health protection. The smoking ban includes smoking in places such as schools, universities and colleges, playgrounds, restaurants and food preparation areas, basketball courts, stairwells, health centers, clinics, public and private hospitals, hotels, malls, elevators, taxis, buses, public utility jeepneys, ships, tricycles, trains, airplanes, and gas stations which are prone to combustion. The Department of Health urges all the establishments to post "no smoking" signs in compliance with the new executive order. They also appeal to the public to report any violation against the nationwide ban on smoking in public places. Read More: ©2017 THOUGHTSKOTO www.jbsolis.com SEARCH JBSOLIS, TYPE KEYWORDS and TITLE OF ARTICLE at the box below Smoking is only allowed in designated smoking areas to be provided by the owner of the establishment. Smoking in private vehicles parked in public areas is also prohibited. What Do You Need To know About The Nationwide Smoking Ban Violators will be fined P500 to P10,000, depending on their number of offenses, while owners of establishments caught violating the EO will face a fine of P5,000 or imprisonment of not more than 30 days. The Department of Health urges all the establishments to post "no smoking" signs in compliance with the new executive order. They also appeal to the public to report any violation against the nationwide ban on smoking in public places. ©2017 THOUGHTSKOTO

Dominador Say, undersecretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), said that talks are underway with Chinese embassy officials on this possibility. China’s five major cities, including Beijing, Shanghai and Xiamen will soon be the destination for Filipino domestic workers who are seeking higher income.