The Caregivers’ Welfare Act (HB 227), one of Bataan 1st District Rep. Geraldine B. Roman’s priority legislative measures for this 19th Congress, was recently unanimously approved by the House of Representatives with 271 votes. Roman said “our caregivers deserve decent income and protection against abuse, harassment, and exploitation. Now, we are one step closer to achieving this.

The Caregivers Welfare Act aims to protect the rights and welfare of caregivers in the country.

HB 227 also seeks to ensure the policies will maintain excellent and globally competitive standards for the caregiver’s professional service. Other than nurses, Filipino caregivers are in demand here and abroad because of their “unconditional and genuine care for their clients.”

They work in private homes, board, and care homes, and health care facilities.

Based on a published report, caregivers are classified only as “other” workers and they fall under the third preference employment-based category.

To work as a caregiver, one does not have to possess a bachelor’s degree but needs only a high school diploma and a few months of work experience.

“Bilang pagkilala sa mahalagang papel ng mga caregivers sa pambansang kaunlaran, kailangan natin ng mga batas na magbibigay proteksyon sa ating mga caregivers upang protektahan ang kanilang mga karapatan at itaguyod ang kanilang kapakanan patungo sa disenteng hanapbuhay. Ang mga caregivers ay dapat din nating protektahan mula sa pang-aabuso, harassment, karahasan, at economic exploitation,” said the bill’s author.

The post Rep. Roman’s Caregivers’ Welfare Act approved on 3rd reading appeared first on 1Bataan.