Labatt: Window-cleaning ban for new hires starts Oct. 15

Labatt Dela Torre's memo

Starting October 15, all new contracts for Filipino domestic workers in Hong Kong should contain a clause saying that cleaning the exterior of windows of their employer’s flat is not part of their duties, Labor Attache Jalilo Dela Torre said.

In a memo to employment agencies on October 1, Dela Torre said the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) was implementing the new policy based on its mandate to protect Filipino workers and on the order of Philippine Labor Secretary Silvestre “Bebot” Bello III.

“Pursuant to POLO’s mandate to protect the welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers, and by virtue of a directive from the Office of the Secretary of Labor and Employment, effective Oct. 15, 2016, all contracts of employment submitted individually and by agencies should contain a Rinalyn Exception in the Schedule of Accommodation and Duties, No. 5,” Dela Torre said in his memo.

He said the POLO’s online filing system will automatically print on all contracts of Filipino domestic workers the following clause: “For safety purposes, cleaning the exterior of windows is not part of the domestic helper’s duties.”

“Please ensure that employers read this part and understand it before they sign the contract you will submit to us for verification and authentication,” Dela Torre said.

The POLO is implementing the new policy after domestic worker Rinalyn Dulluog on August 9 fell to her death while reportedly cleaning the windows of her employer’s flat on the 49th floor of a condo in LOHAS Park.