MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) yesterday assured Filipino domestic helpers in Hong Kong of protection amid reports that they are forced to render services against their will.
Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the DOLE and other government agencies are implementing measures to ensure the protection of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Hong Kong and other countries.
“The presence of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office and diplomatic and consular missions overseas mandated to provide services to OFWs and ensure that OFWs, especially household service workers, are protected from risks associated with forced labor,” Baldoz said.
Since the Philippines has ratified the ILO Core Conventions on Forced Labor, Baldoz said the DOLE and Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) make sure that stakeholders in the recruitment and employment sector adhere to measures that prevent forced labor.
“Various procedural mechanisms applied by the POEA in scrutinizing and standardizing the provisions of employment contracts of migrant workers and in holding accountable employers and agencies that commit recruitment violations and violations of employment contracts, make sure that migrant workers are informed of their conditions of employment overseas through the stages of the migration cycle, from pre-employment to pre-departure,” Baldoz said.
She added relevant information about the OFWs’ working conditions are enhanced by post-arrival orientation sessions (PAOS).
Baldoz said the POEA board has made the PAOS mandatory for all OFWs.
The POEA also observes the so-called “one strike” policy where recruitment and foreign employers are immediately banned from employing OFWs after they have committed violations.
Baldoz admitted there are some OFWs trapped by debt, but the government is exerting efforts to address the problem.
She said human trafficking is an offense both in the Philippines and Hong Kong.
The Philippine and Hong Kong governments are closely working to review existing legislation to enhance protection of migrant workers, Baldoz said.
She said the Philippines and Hong Kong are set to negotiate a bilateral labor cooperation agreement to protect OFWs. –Mayen Jaymalin (The Philippine Star)
March –
IT’S WOMEN’S MONTH!
“Respect and support women
every day of the year/s!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands
#Report Corruption #SearchPosts #TakePicturesVideos
Monthly Observances:
Women’s Role in History Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 1: Environmental Week;
Women’s Week
Week 3: Philippine Industry and “
Made-in-the-Philippines Products Week
Last Week: Protection and Gender-Fair Treatment
of the Girl Child Week
Daily Observances:
March 8: Women’s Rights and
International Peace Day;
National Women’s Day
March 4: Employee Appreciation Day
March 15: World Consumer Rights Day
March 18: Global Recycling Day
March 21: International Day for the Elimination
of Racial Discrimination
March 23: International Day for the Right to the Truth
Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations
and for the Dignity of Victims
March 25: International Day of Remembrance of the
Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
March 27: Earth Hour
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