Trillanes: ILO Convention a major victory for Pinoy domestic workers

Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV commended the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) for spearheading an initiative that led to the adoption by the International Labor Organization (ILO) of the landmark treaty giving protection to millions of domestic workers across the world.

In a resolution filed in the Senate on Tuesday, Trillanes said the ILO Convention 189, or the Decent Work for Domestic Workers Convention, was a major victory for an estimated 53 million to 100 million Filipino and foreign domestic workers who take on this job abroad. Trillanes likewise congratulated DOLE Secretary Rosalinda D. Baldoz and DOLE Undersecretary Hans Leo G. Cacdac, the First Chairman of the Committee on Domestic Workers of ILO, for leading the effort that has resulted to the landmark convention.

The landmark treaty recognizes domestic work as work and not a form of slavery and requires member-countries of the ILO to take steps to protect domestic workers and end their abuses.

"The new Convention will provide protection and labor standards to Filipino domestic workers worldwide as well as the world's estimated 53 million to 100 million domestic workers," Trillanes explained.

Convention 189 also ensures that domestic workers enjoy freedom of association and can exercise their right to collective bargaining. It mandates though governments to identify and eliminate any legislative or administrative restrictions or other obstacles to the rights of domestic workers.

The Convention was approved during the 100th International Labor Conference of the Geneva-based organization on June 16, 2011.