Most OFWs’ destinations have not been certified as safe—POEA

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has so far certified less than half of more than 180 countries around the world as nations where overseas Filipino workers can be “deployed,” the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) chief said Tuesday.

POEA administrator Jennifer Jardin-Manalili said her agency was also reviewing these certifications because the DFA certified some countries using qualifications other than those set by the new Republic Act 10022, or the amended Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act.

Under the controversial RA 10022, OFWs can be sent only to countries where their rights are protected. The DFA certifies which countries meet this criteria and this certification will then have to be approved by the POEA governing board.

The law states that a country viable for OFW deployment should have existing labor and social laws protecting rights of workers, including migrant workers; it should be a signatory of bilateral or multilateral agreements relating to the protection of migrant workers; or it has taken “positive and concrete measures” to protect migrant workers.

Manalili said the deadline for certifying countries was also moved to January 24 for nations with Philippine embassies and February 24 for countries that do not have a Philippine diplomatic post.

“Even before (the initial) deadline of November 24, all the 65 countries (that have PH embassies) were able to submit (certifications), including major markets in the Middle East,” Manalili said in a press briefing.

“I also think that less than 20 (countries that do not have PH diplomatic posts) were also able to submit. This would be the greater part because if my recollection is correct, there are around 120 countries (that do not have PH diplomatic posts),” she added.

Manalili said the DFA, POEA, and the labor department were also thinking of sending missions to other countries to inform them about this certification system.

Meanwhile, prominent groups, individuals, and churches of the Filipino community in Hong Kong have issued a manifesto urging the government to spare the former British colony from another controversial provision of RA 10022: the mandatory insurance of new agency-hired OFWs.

“Our livelihood is at stake. Protection for overseas Filipino workers should not cost us our jobs nor should it be a financial burden for OFWs,” said the manifesto, signed by 130 groups and individuals led by Unifil-Migrante.

The manifesto pointed out that HK employers already take out insurance policies, with better benefits, for their domestic workers because this is required by HK laws.

“It is thus ironic that the new mandatory insurance scheme…in reality puts our jobs at risk, threatens our future, and poses further strain to the already vulnerable condition of overseas Filipino workers,” the manifesto said. –Philip Tubeza, Philippine Daily Inquirer