Philippines welcomes landmark maid protection agreement

Jun 17, 2011, 10:21 GMT

Manila - The Philippines hailed Friday the adoption of a landmark International Labour Organization (ILO) treaty to protect an estimated 53 million domestic workers around the world.

The Philippines, which is one of the major exporters of housemaids worldwide, said the new treaty was expected to help improve the conditions of domestic employees around the world.

'Having minimum standards to be observed by governments will undoubtedly lead to improvement in their situations,' the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

The 2011 Convention on Domestic Workers was passed Thursday in Geneva with 396 affirmative votes, 16 against and 63 abstentions.

The ILO said the treaty would ensure that househelps enjoyed conditions 'not less favourable' than other workers, such as reasonable hours of work, weekly rest of at least 24 hours and clear information on terms and conditions of employment.

Filipino domestic employees both in the Philippines and abroad frequently complain of mistreatment ranging from delayed or unpaid salaries, excessive hours of work, to poor working conditions, sexual harassment and rape.