Visayan Forum, Foundation Inc.
The ally of women and young people

By Wein P. Gadian

Validation Workshop on the Training Regulation for Household Service conducted to Kasambahays at Grand Hotel, April 17, 2005. An activity conducted in cooperation with TESDA.

Poverty has put so many lives at risk. We are aware that most people living below poverty line or anyone in poverty migrate to more progressive places to find better- paying jobs. In most cases they go to foreign countries, but there are still those who would settle with migration from a rural to an urban area. They are the young people who risk their lives for the love of their family.

These young people (mostly 17 and below) would work as domestic helpers in their locality or move to a high-end urbanized city. Thus, they give up their studies and sacrifice being away from their families. And with parents consent these young people will be taken by recruiters and sent to different cities.

Since middle class and upper class families usually need house help, these children are hired to work for them at a very low wage rate. In some cases, these children will be working in beer houses or bars where their lives are much more in danger. Even with a reality like this, only a few people see it that the lives of these children are so much at risk.

“Grupo Kasanag” the theater group formed by VF and trained by PETA, performed during the “Youth and Children Theater Festival” held in Intramuros, Manila, February 2 - 5, 2005.

As noted in the International Labor Organization survey, there are six forms of child labor, namely: Agriculture or those working in the farms, Pyrotechniques or those who make firecrackers and others, Child Domestic Workers or the ‘maids', Prostitution, Mining and Quarrying, and Deep-sea Fishing or what is otherwise known as Muro-ami.

Among these, Child Domestic Labor is considered “invisible”. No one knows up to what extent the kind of job the child does inside the homes of their employers. The sad part is, there are no LGU's that check on cases like these because of the informality in their contracts. There are no contracts on the employees' specific tasks. At times, they are prone to abuse by their masters or they get no overtime pay for tasks they do late in the evenings.

With this issue on child labor, trafficking and child abuse, a group of Manila based Visayan people were inspired to establish the Visayan Forum Foundation, Incorporated (VF) in 1991. Whereby, supporting the R.A. 9208 on “Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003”. Now it's also pioneering in the documented work on domestic workers in the Philippines. It is also pushing for the Domestic Workers Bill or Batas Kasambahay. This Bill is in valuing the dignity and granting full respect for ‘kasambahay' or helpers, and that the state shall protect their rights and privileges. The state should also ensure them safe and healthy working conditions, among others.

“Araw ng mga Kasambahay” held at La Paz Covered Gym, March 19, 2005. One of the features of the activity was the setting-up of help desks by various agencies like the SSS, DSWD, IBP and WELAP.

VF is a non-profit, non-stock and tax–exempt non-government organization in the Philippines. It works for the welfare of marginalized migrants, especially those working in the invisible and informal sectors, like domestic workers and trafficked women and children. It is a licensed and accredited by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to provide “residential care and community based programs and services for women and children in especially difficult circumstances”.

Its vision is to have a society where marginalized migrants, especially the working children are free and empowered. The mission is for the provision of specialized care for migrants at risk and its other beneficiaries. It organizes community-based integrated programs that deals with the root causes of child labor, trafficking and migration.

WHAT ARE THE PROGRAMS

VF focuses on three major programs: The Program for Migrant Working Children (Community-Based Interventions and Child Watch Networks), the Kasambahay Program (National Action on child Domestic Labor in the Philippines) and the Anti-Trafficking Program (Halfway Houses for Trafficked Women and Children at the Ports and Beyond).

VF addresses the root causes of child labor on the migrant working children. It gives orientation on Children's rights of children in the different sectors (eg. agriculture, domestic and others). They form innovative community–based programs among parents, children and youth, and also provides specialized community based services, conducts local advocacy and technical assistance for savings and credit loans for the poor.

In this program VF organizes the Bantay-Bata sa Komunidad (BBK) or Community Child Watch Network. They are to monitor the condition of working children and cases of child abuse. Workshops, seminars and sportsfests are organized by adopted communities.

The Kasambahay Program focuses on children as housemaids. VF does profiling on these kids and make linkages to schools. And with cooperation from their employers, the program does its best to help these kids to school on night classes or when they are done with their chores.

In cases where the child has been abused in any way, in the custody of VF, they are given processing seminars. This program also gathers these kids for orientation about children's rights and organizes activities to develop their potentials. The ‘Araw ng mga Kasambahay' is one of its activities.

The Anti-Trafficking Program is a strategic way to stop the abuse of children. Halfway houses in various seaports in cooperation with Philippine Ports Authority were provided. These halfway houses provide center-based package of protective services.

VF has also established the Multi-Sectoral Network Against Trafficking in Persons (MSNAT). It is a national civil society-led initiative that aims to provide direct action, build capacities of partners, advocate for policy reforms and network with local and international agencies. This program only aims that children rescued has to be sent back to their homeland.

ADVOCACIES AND OTHER PROJECTS

VF beneficiaries are Working Children in Urban Poor Communities , Child Domestic Laborers and trafficked Women and Children. It also provides educational assistance to working children. They also have medical and legal and psychological assistance in case of needs.

Other than these VF has publications which are The Kasambahay and other pamphlets and newsletters. These are published annually and are part of Education, Information and campaign strategy.

VF also leads national and international efforts in mobilizing social partners as like the Philippine and Southeast Asian Secretariat, Global March against Child Labor, Convenor, Task Force on Child Domestic Workers Asia, Convenor, Multi-Sectoral Network against Trafficking in Persons (MSNAT), Convenor, Anti-Trafficking Taskforce at the Ports, Member, ILO Convention 182 National Monitoring Team

Member, Philippine NGO Coalition on the Monitoring of the Implementation of the UNCRC. It is also recognized by UNICEF.

VF from its Mother House in 2873 Lamayan Street Sannta Ana, Manila it is also in Port of Matnog, Sosogon, Marcos Road, North Harbor Manila, Batangas International Port and Sasa Port, Davao. It also has its shelter homes for rescued children. These homes have foster parents and that the children could feel the love and care they need after the rescue.

VF will also have its Summit Meeting for Child Domestic Workers this August. Last June 28, VF held a meeting with the media, Department of Labor and Employment, Councilor Jed Mabilog on Batas Kasambahay (Senate Bill No. 860). The same bill seeks to protect the rights and interests of child domestic helpers.

If you know people who are abusive of their ‘kasambahay' or helpers call the 24/7 VF hotline 3284653. You can also visit Iloilo office at 14 Jereos St. Hechanova Compound, La Paz, Iloilo City, or contact them at 3206200.