MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines has ratified the Domestic Workers Convention, which sets global standards for the protection of domestic workers worldwide. It is only the second country, after Uruguay, to ratify the treaty.
The Philippine Senate ratified the treaty on Monday, August 6. Human Rights Watch said President Benigno Aquino III signed it on May 18, 2010, following the treaty’s first ratification by Uruguay on April 30.
The convention required two ratifications to enter into legal force. With the Philippines’ ratification, the convention will take effect after one year, according to Human Rights Watch.
“The Philippines’ ratification of the Domestic Workers Convention means that basic labor rights for domestic workers are finally becoming a reality,” said Nisha Varia, senior women’s rights researcher at Human Rights Watch. “As the treaty goes into effect, millions of women and girls will have the chance for better working conditions and better lives.”
There are two million estimated domestic workers in the country alone and million others around the world. Most of them are not covered by labor laws and work under tough circumstances.
The convention is expected to protect them from being trafficked for illegal work. – Rappler.com
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