The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) welcomes the filing of House Bill (HB) No. 3266 also known as the “An Act Providing for Security of Tenure, Standardized Salary, and Other Benefits for Child Development Workers.” Child Development Workers (CDWs) formerly known as daycare workers are primary responsible for delivering basic social services such as social development, education, and care amongst young children up to 6 years old.

Currently, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has 67,733 CDWs with tenured and non-tenured positions who do not receive standard wages or benefits. Out of these overall number, 6,307 are volunteers. Once enacted into law, HB 3266 seeks the creation of over 84,000 permanent positions in the CDW sector to standardize the salaries and improve the benefits of CDWs across the country. This will also provide opportunities to improve their teaching skills.

By providing security of tenure and enhanced benefits for CDWs, the bill endeavors to improve their work conditions, which is crucial to effective early interventions for Filipino children. It also contributes to improved standards of early childcare towards enhancing the academic capacity and performance of children.

To strengthen the protection of children, HB 3266 also prohibits individuals convicted of any crimes or those with cases in relation to Republic Act no. 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act from being employed as CDWs. Considering the utmost vulnerability of children, this is an essential feature to prevent the exploitation and abuse of our young ones.

It is important for the State to ensure adequate standards to improve labor rights of CDWs whose work is crucial in the overall wellness and development of children. Further, it is incumbent upon the government to ensure the welfare of all workers, including those in the frontline of early child development, during this period economic volatility. As a re-filed bill, CHR hopes for the proposed measure’s swift enactment under the 19th Congress.