Our Kasambahay, and ILO publication

Who is the domestic worker?
_______________ And what is household
work?
The domestic worker is the person, commonly under a livein employment arrangement with his/her employer, providing
household services. He/she is traditionally referred to in many ways
such as “katulong,” “chimay or chimoy,” “boy,” “tsuper,” “yaya,”
“maid,” “DH”, “domestic or household helper,” or “servant,” among
others. The more humane reference to the domestic worker is
“kasambahay” which literally means house companion and such
other references like “kuya,” “manang,” or “inday”.
Many domestic workers are migrants from the provinces or
poverty areas of the country. A great number of them make their way
to become overseas migrant domestic workers.

The Labor Code defines the domestic worker in terms of the
domestic or household service he/she is expected to render. This
covers services in the employer’s home which is usually necessary or
desirable for the maintenance and enjoyment thereof and includes
ministering to the personal comfort and convenience of the members
of the employer’s household, including services of family drivers.