By
Felipo David G. Malcampo
ZAMBOANGA
CITY - The registration of employers and domestic workers
under the Domestic Workers Act (RA 10361), better known as the “Kasambahay”
Law, is whole year round during regular working days.
The
nationwide registration days of four Saturdays in June last month were only
special registration days provided by the Social Security System (SSS) to
accommodate new registrants, who may not have sufficient time during weekdays.
This was clarified by Atty. Rodrigo B. Filoteo, SSS Assistant Vice President
for Western Mindanao cluster.
In
an interview, Filoteo disclosed that “the SSS Western Mindanao Division covers
our branch offices in Zamboanga City, Isabela City in Basilan, Pagadian City in
Zamboanga del Sur, Ipil in Sibugay, Dipolog City in Zamboanga del
Norte, Jolo, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.”
“For
the special registration days on June 8, 15, 22 and 29, 2013, we have issued a
total 136 new SSS Numbers to domestic workers, 105 ID Numbers to household
employers, and recorded a total of 514 payment transactions. These
figures exclude those who registered during the weekdays,” Filoteo added.
A
“kasambahay” worker, as defined by the Domestic Workers Act, refers to any person
engaged in domestic work within an employer-employee relationship. They
include: general household helper, houseboy, family driver, nursemaid or
“yaya”, cook, gardener, and laundry person. Excluded, however, are those who
perform domestic work only occasionally or sporadically and not on occupational
basis. (PIA9)