Across the Philippines, millions of households rely on domestic workers—known locally as kasambahays—to provide essential care and support. These workers, predominantly women, clean homes, care for children, and tend to the elderly, often at great personal sacrifice. Yet, despite their indispensable role, they remain among the most undervalued and unprotected laborers in the country, grappling with meager wages, long hours, and minimal access to social protections. As the government struggles to enforce existing laws, many kasambahays are taking matters into their own hands, organizing through unions to demand the rights and dignity they deserve.
The Harsh Reality of Domestic Work
For countless domestic workers in the Philippines, the daily grind is a battle for survival. Many earn far below the national minimum wage, with the government setting their minimum daily pay at around 300 Philippine Pesos (US$5) in the National Capital Region—a stark contrast to the general minimum wage of 645 Pesos (US$11) per day in the same area. Outside Metro Manila, wages often dip even lower, despite the cost of living remaining comparable. According to the independent think tank IBON Foundation, a family living wage in the region stands at 1,223 Pesos (US$22) per day, highlighting the yawning gap between earnings and basic needs.
Beyond low pay, domestic workers face grueling conditions. Long hours with little rest are commonplace, often without legally mandated days off. In extreme cases, reports of physical and emotional abuse surface, painting a grim picture of exploitation. Unlike other workers, kasambahays are frequently excluded from critical social protection programs such as the Social Security System, PhilHealth, and Pag-Ibig. Data from the Department of Labor and Employment-Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns reveals that as of October 2024, less than 5 percent of domestic workers were registered for all three schemes. Even among those registered, many are classified as “self-employed,” meaning they must shoulder the full cost of contributions from their already limited earnings, as employers often evade their legal obligation to contribute. 
A Global Issue of Undervalued Care Work
The plight of domestic workers in the Philippines mirrors a broader global challenge. According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), approximately 116 million people—over 70 percent of whom are women—perform care work worldwide. This sector, valued at US$11 trillion, surpasses industries like technology and manufacturing in economic impact. Yet, despite its scale and significance, care work remains undervalued and underprotected across the globe. In many countries, domestic workers are excluded from labor laws that safeguard other professions, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation.
In the Philippines, the cultural perception of domestic work as less “formal” or less deserving of recognition exacerbates the issue. This mindset is reflected in policy: the lower minimum wage specifically for domestic workers signals a systemic undervaluing of their contributions. For many kasambahays, the decision to enter this line of work is not a choice but a necessity, often driven by poverty, lack of opportunities, or the devastating impacts of climate change. Natural disasters and extreme weather events have displaced countless families, forcing individuals to leave rural areas for urban centers or even overseas employment, where they risk further exploitation in search of income.
Legislation Falls Short of Promises
The Philippines has taken steps to address these issues on paper. In 2012, it became the first and only Asian country to ratify the ILO’s Convention on Domestic Workers, a landmark treaty establishing global labor standards for the sector. A year later, the government enacted Republic Act No. 10361, known as the Domestic Workers Act, which aimed to guarantee fair wages, rest days, and access to social protections for kasambahays. The law also mandates employer contributions to social security schemes and requires formal contracts to ensure accountability.
However, over a decade later, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Implementation of the Domestic Workers Act remains woefully inadequate. Most domestic workers still lack legally binding contracts, receive fewer than the mandated four non-working days per month, and are not registered with local barangay authorities—a prerequisite for accessing workers’ safety nets. According to labor advocates, both workers and employers often remain unaware of the law’s provisions. Some employers are surprised to learn that the legislation protects their rights as well, not just those of their employees, highlighting a critical gap in public education.
Compounding the issue is a lack of political will and fiscal commitment from local government units and relevant agencies. Without robust enforcement mechanisms or sufficient funding, the law’s transformative potential remains unrealized. As a result, domestic workers continue to operate in a precarious limbo, caught between progressive legislation and systemic neglect.
Organizing for Change: The Role of Unions
In the face of government inaction, domestic workers have turned to collective action to advocate for their rights. Since its establishment in 2015, the United Domestic Workers of the Philippines (United) has emerged as a powerful voice for kasambahays across the country. The trade union focuses on securing three core demands: fair and livable wages, inclusion in social protection programs, and the full implementation of the Domestic Workers Act.
United’s efforts go beyond mere protest. The union organizes, educates, and mobilizes its members, providing a platform for dialogue with government officials at both local and national levels. For nearly 12 years, it has lobbied tirelessly for better enforcement of existing laws, emphasizing that domestic work is legitimate labor deserving of the same protections afforded to other professions. Far from being confrontational, United seeks recognition of the essential role care work plays in society—a role that underpins the functioning of countless households and, by extension, the broader economy.
The union’s work is particularly crucial given the unique vulnerabilities of domestic workers. Unlike factory or office employees, kasambahays often work in isolation within private homes, making it difficult to monitor their conditions or hold employers accountable. Collective organizing offers a way to break this isolation, fostering solidarity and amplifying their demands. As one union representative put it, “We are not just asking for charity; we are demanding justice” said a spokesperson for United during a recent rally in Manila.
Climate Crisis and Economic Desperation
The challenges facing domestic workers are further compounded by external pressures, notably the escalating climate crisis. The Philippines is among the most vulnerable countries to natural disasters, with typhoons, floods, and droughts displacing communities and destroying livelihoods. For many rural families, these events leave no option but to send members to urban areas or abroad as domestic workers, even if it means enduring exploitative conditions. The climate crisis, in this sense, is not just an environmental issue but a labor one, driving vulnerable populations into precarious work with little bargaining power.
This intersection of economic desperation and environmental instability underscores the urgency of protecting domestic workers. Without adequate wages or social safety nets, kasambahays and their families remain trapped in a cycle of poverty, unable to rebuild after disasters or invest in a more secure future. Addressing their plight requires not only labor reforms but also broader policies to mitigate the impacts of climate change and provide alternative livelihoods for affected communities.
Looking Ahead: A Call for Recognition
The struggle of domestic workers in the Philippines is a stark reminder of the invisible labor that sustains societies. Their fight for fair wages, social protections, and dignity is not just a local issue but a global one, reflecting systemic inequalities in how care work is perceived and valued. While unions like United have made strides in raising awareness and pushing for change, the road ahead remains long and fraught with challenges.
As the government grapples with enforcement gaps and societal attitudes slowly shift, questions linger about how long domestic workers must wait for the rights they are entitled to. Will the promises of the Domestic Workers Act ever translate into tangible improvements, or will kasambahays continue to bear the burden of systemic neglect? For now, their resilience and determination to organize offer a glimmer of hope—a reminder that even in the face of adversity, the fight for dignity persists.
