Manila: The proposed passage of bill against discrimination has received a lot of support after observers intensified their reaction to “yaya (nanny) meals” offered in the menu of a high-end resort in Quezon, southern Luzon, a lawmaker said.
“Support for the proposed Equal Opportunity Bill that calls for an end to discrimination based on age, economic status. gender, and sexual preference has snowballed. People are suddenly aware of discrimination after the revelation that Balesin Island Club has offered in its menu ‘yaya (house helper’s) meals,’” said Congressman Ibarra Gutierrez of Akbayan, a sectoral party at the House of Representatives.
“Balesin’s ‘yaya meal’ has strengthened class divide, added salt to injury, and highlighted deep-seated nature of economic inequality in the Philippines, which could intensify conflict between the haves and the have nots,” said Gutierrez.
“The owners and managers of Balesin know that no law has been violated with the use of ‘yaya meal’ to describe a meal option in its menu because Congress has not yet passed the proposed anti-discriminatory bill,” Gutierrez argued, adding, “The culture of discrimination in the Philippines should end so that ‘yaya meals’ should no longer be tolerated as an option to describe cheaper meals.”
Admitting that Balesin did not violate any labour law, Labour Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz called on management of business establishments to be more class-sensitive since high-end clients who bring in assistants, house-helpers and nannies patronise Balesin.
“The labour department appeals to the sensitivity and decency of business establishments, employers of house helpers and all Filipinos in general to refrain from acts or utterances that are disrespectful of the social-economic status of house-helpers,” said Baldoz, adding, “Some segment of our society still looks down on house-helpers a grade lower than ordinary citizens.”
“We urge that we treat house-helpers with respect in the same manner that we treat formal sector workers fairly as we recognise that they fuel the economy,” said Baldoz.
The entry of former beauty queen and fashion designer Maggie Wilson-Consunji on her Facebook account about her revulsion to Balesin’s “yaya meal” has been going viral since early April. The waiter did not allow her mother to order the “yaya meal,” she said.
Hinting the menu item has been considered because of alleged requests from clients, Balesin’s chief executive officer Mike Asperin said, “If the guest or member chooses to have the Club serve the ‘yaya’ tenderloin steak and lobster thermidor, we will gladly serve it to the yaya.”
“Incidentally, the yayas are thrilled with their meals because these are deliciously prepared by our chefs, as well, for our operating staff at Balesin,” Asperin said.
