Domestic Workers Act

Section 36

The DOLE shall, through a system of licensing and regulation, ensure the protection of domestic workers hired through the PEAs. The PEA shall be jointly and severally liable with the employer for all the wages, wage-related benefits, and other benefits due a domestic worker. The provision of Presidential Decree No. 442, as amended, otherwise known as the "Labor Code of the Philippines", on qualifications of the PEAs with regard to nationality, net worth, owners and officers, office space and other requirements, as well as non-transferability of license and commission of prohibited practices, shall apply. In addition, PEAs shall have the following responsibilities: (a) Ensure that domestic workers are not charged or levied any recruitment or placement fees; (b) Ensure that the employment agreement between the domestic worker and the employer stipulates the terms and conditions of employment and all the benefits prescribed by this Act; (c) Provide a pre-employment orientation briefing to the domestic worker and the employer about their rights and responsibilities in accordance with this Act; (d) Keep copies of employment contracts and agreements pertaining to recruited domestic workers which shall be made available during inspections or whenever required by the DOLE or local government officials; (e) Assist domestic workers with respect to complaints or grievances against their employers; and (f) Cooperate with government agencies in rescue operations involving abused or exploited domestic workers.