What countries are safe for OFWs?

DFA ANSWERS THE QUESTION

BRUSSELS, Belgium—For now, they are the 10 countries of Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Kuwait, Laos, Myanmar, Ireland, Saipan, Norway, Syria, and Vietnam.

Under Republic Act 10022, or the Amended Migrant Workers’ Act, the Department of Foreign Affairs is required to make a list of countries that are safe for overseas Filipino workers. The law requires that the DFA, through its embassies, make a survey of countries to see where the rights and welfare of migrant workers are protected.

So far, only the Philippine diplomatic posts in the mentioned countries have submitted certifications that verify that these labor-receiving countries: (1) have existing labor and social laws protecting the rights of migrant workers; (2) have signed or ratified multilateral conventions, declarations, or resolutions relating to the protection of migrant workers; (3) have concluded a bilateral agreement or arrangement on the protection of the rights of overseas Filipino workers and; (4) are taking positive and concrete measures to implement the first three criteria.

According to the law, the embassies have until only November 11 to submit the certifications, and until December 11 for countries without Philippine embassies.

These certifications, which will also indicate the types of workers—whether professional, semi-skilled, unskilled, or household service workers—are protected in the receiving countries, will then be submitted to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), which in turn decides if OFWs may be deployed in which countries.

“The DFA believes that the certification of countries will allow prospective OFWs to make informed decisions whether they want to work in a given country. It will also allow them to take advantage of working in a country where their rights are more protected,” the DFA said in a statement.

Various stakeholders are worried that the new requirement of the new law will cause the blacklisting of countries in the Middle East, where more than 2 million OFWs reside and work.
Veronica Uy, INQUIRER.net