About Us

The Pambansang Tagapag-ugnay ng mga Manggagawa sa Bahay (PATAMABA) Inc. or the National Network of Homebased Workers in the Philippines was founded in 1989 as the first organization formed by Filipino homebased workers. In its May 2003 National Congress, its name was changed to the Pambansang Kalipunan ng mga Manggagawang Impormal sa Pilipinas (National Network of Informal Workers in the Philippines), to reflect fundamental changes in its targeted membership which now includes, in addition to homeworkers, vendors, small transport operators, construction workers, and youth workers. From being a primarily a women’s organization (98% of the members are women between the ages of 18 to 75), it has started its evolution into an organization that seeks to address the concerns and uplift the plight of both women and men workers belonging to the informal sector.

PATAMABA is a non-stock, non-profit, people’s organization founded to organize, consolidate, and expand the national network of informal workers, and to provide support for their personal, socio-political, and economic well-being. It is composed of and led by homebased workers, construction and transportation workers, street vendors, waste recyclers, and others working in the informal economy. It actively advocates and lobbies for proper legislation to protect the rights of the informal workers in the Philippines as workers and as women. We are affiliated to different trade unions and women's organizations with similar aims.