Philippines' leadership on decent work for domestic workers: 15 years of progress and the road ahead

By Khalid Hassan, Director of the ILO Country Office for the Philippines

MANILA (ILO News) - Fifteen years ago, on 16 June 2011, the world took a historic step towards social justice. The adoption of the ILO Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189) recognised a simple but transformative truth: domestic work is work, and domestic workers deserve the same rights, dignity and protection as every other worker.

The Philippines was at the heart of that achievement. As Chair of the Committee that negotiated the Convention, the country helped build the consensus that led to its adoption. It then became one of the first countries to ratify the Convention, helping bring it into force globally. Soon after, the Philippines enacted the Batas Kasambahay, establishing one of the most progressive legal frameworks for domestic workers anywhere in the world. This leadership reflected the country's commitment to social justice, decent work and inclusive development.

Nearly two million domestic workers are indispensable to Filipino families and the economy. They care for children, support older persons, assist persons with disabilities, prepare meals, clean homes and provide services that enable millions of others to participate in the labour market. Their contribution is particularly important in a country where women continue to shoulder a disproportionate share of unpaid care responsibilities.

Yet despite their essential role, domestic workers remain among the most vulnerable workers in society. Most are women. Many work informally. Too often, they face low wages, long working hours, limited social protection and insufficient access to representation and collective voice. This challenge is not unique to the Philippines. Across the world, women continue to be overrepresented in informal and lower-quality jobs, while progress in improving job quality has slowed.

The Philippines has made important progress. Batas Kasambahay guarantees written contracts, minimum wages, rest periods, social security coverage and protection from abuse. Domestic workers also enjoy the right to organise and participate in social dialogue. This recognition is important because rights at work are most effective when workers themselves have a voice. Freedom of association and collective bargaining help ensure that domestic workers can participate in decisions affecting their wages, working conditions, safety and wellbeing. They are also essential for building more inclusive labour markets and stronger democratic institutions.

These achievements have improved the lives of many workers and their families and have positioned the Philippines as a global leader in advancing domestic workers' rights.

However, important gaps remain. Many domestic workers are still not registered with social security and health insurance schemes. Compliance with written employment contracts remains uneven. Registration and monitoring systems at the barangay level are often weak. Live-out domestic workers frequently remain outside formal protection mechanisms. Child domestic labour and other forms of exploitation continue to require vigilance and sustained action.

The need to accelerate progress is becoming more urgent. Only about one in every two working-age Filipino women participates in the labour force, and millions remain outside paid employment because of household and care responsibilities. Women are also disproportionately represented in informal and vulnerable forms of work. Domestic workers sit at the centre of this challenge. By caring for children, older persons and persons with disabilities, they make it possible for other family members—especially women—to participate in paid employment and contribute to economic growth. Yet the workers who provide this essential care often remain among the least protected.

Strengthening the rights and protection of domestic workers is therefore not only a labour issue; it is fundamental to advancing gender equality, expanding women's economic opportunities and building a stronger care economy for the Philippines. Investing in decent work for domestic workers is also an investment in the care economy that underpins labour force participation, productivity and inclusive growth. It is consistent with the aspirations reflected in the Women Workers' Agenda, which calls for stronger social protection, recognition of care work, greater gender equality, and expanded opportunities for women workers.

Labour migration adds another dimension. Millions of Filipinos work overseas, and many are employed as domestic workers and caregivers. Their contribution to families, communities and the national economy is immense. Many Filipino women migrant workers continue to be concentrated in lower-paid occupations, including domestic and care work, making effective protection throughout the migration cycle essential. Fair recruitment, stronger labour protections and access to social protection must therefore remain priorities.

At the same time, demographic change, technological transformation and evolving migration patterns are reshaping labour markets worldwide. Across Asia, ageing populations and growing care needs are increasing demand for domestic workers and caregivers. This creates new opportunities for Filipino workers, but also reinforces the need for stronger protection, skills recognition and fair recruitment systems. As demand for care services grows globally, the challenge is not only to create more opportunities for Filipino domestic workers, but also to ensure that their skills are recognised, valued and fairly rewarded.

The good news is that the foundation for further progress already exists. The Philippines has demonstrated leadership through ratification of Convention No. 189, the enactment of Batas Kasambahay and continued engagement with workers' and employers' organisations. The next phase should focus on implementation: expanding social protection coverage, strengthening labour inspection and enforcement, supporting freedom of association and collective bargaining, preventing violence and harassment, and recognising, reducing and redistributing unpaid care work. Domestic workers must not only be protected by law; they must also have the freedom to organise, bargain collectively and participate in the social dialogue that shapes the policies affecting their lives.

As we mark the fifteenth anniversary of Convention No. 189 and celebrate the International Day of Domestic Workers, we should recognise both how far we have come and how much remains to be done. Domestic workers are workers, caregivers and essential contributors to our wellbeing and prosperity.

Fifteen years ago, the Philippines helped shape a landmark international labour standard. Today, it has an opportunity to demonstrate once again that leadership is measured not only by laws adopted, but by the daily realities experienced by workers. The progress achieved over the past fifteen years shows what is possible when governments, employers, workers and their organisations work together. The task now is to build on that foundation and ensure that decent work becomes a daily reality for every domestic worker.