KOKO PUSHES SENATE CONCURRENCE
ON ILO DOMESTIC WORKERS' CONVENTION

Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III pushed today for the concurrence by the Senate in the country's ratification of the International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention 189, otherwise known as the Domestic Workers' Convention of 2011.

In Senate Resolution 801, Pimentel cited the pressing need to adopt the ILO convention which aims to "supplement the general standards for workers with standards specific to household workers so as to enable them to enjoy their rights fully."

He noted that President Aquino's ratification of the ILO Convention last May 18 would provide Filipino household workers all over the world protection, respect and dignity.

Pimentel had hoped that the Senate would concur with the President's ratification of the ILO convention in time for today's (June 7) celebration of the International Migrant Workers' Day.

The senator said that the Philippines' ratification of the ILO Convention will signify to countries that host Filipino household workers that the Philippine government is serious in protecting the labor and human rights of its citizens.

"Sad tales of abuses committed against Filipino household workers, including some who had come home traumatized, brutalized, if not in caskets, have abound," said Pimentel. "Thus, it is beyond debate already that more protection is needed for this most exploited sector of our overseas labor force."

Adopted last June 16, ILO Convention 189 shall come into force twelve months after the date on which the ratifications of two members have been registered with the Director-General of the International Labour Office.

Thereafter, the Convention shall come into force for any member twelve months after the date on which its ratification is registered.