"Girl Child Labour in Domestic Service in the Philippines: Results from A Rapid Assessment in Metro Manila and Bacolod City
Roland Pacis; Levinson Alcantara; Gloria Elena Labrador
Visayan Forum Foundation, Inc.; Institute for Labour Studies-Department of Labor and Employment
E-mail: rolski2000@yahoo.com kathybrimon@yahoo.com

The study involved 36 child domestic workers who were interviewed. Supplementing family income is one of their primary reasons in working as a domestic helper. Although fast turnover of employers was noted, most of the respondents preferred their current jobs because they thought they lacked skills and alternatives.

Results noted that domestic work demands a lot of time from children. Unclear terms of work since the onset of employment were common. Work hours ranged from 5 to 16 hours. The respondents experienced work-related illnesses due to exhaustion, deprivation of opportunities to go to school, and physical and verbal abuses. The children were vulnerable to sexual abuse and they have no access to help and intervention. The children tolerated the difficulties they faced rather than be unemployed.

Key informants in the study saw the need for a clear policy on children in domestic work. This would entail resolving the issue whether domestic work can be classified as one of the "worst form of child labor." Policies that are geared toward improving the working conditions in domestic work should be promoted. There is a need to enhance networks that would help in institutionalizing girls' participation in advocacy efforts towards their protection. It is recommended that communities should be mobilized in installing support mechanisms that would sustain the income of families in order to prevent the entry of children into domestic work.