Bantay OCW (Ang Boses ng OFW)
Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz has issued an order banning the deployment of domestic workers to employers overseas whose workers have run away due to abuse. If there are reports that an employer is abusive, he or she should not be able to hire Filipino workers again, the labor chief said.
This is a commendable move of the Department of Labor and Employment for Filipino workers who have difficulties fighting for their rights overseas. OFWs often escape from their employers because they cannot endure the maltreatment they experience. Some report that they are starved, not paid their salaries, subjected to verbal and sexual abuse, etc.
But blacklisted employers find ways to get around this ban. If parents are blacklisted, some use the names of their children or their friends to again hire Filipino workers.
OFWs themselves can help solve this problem. They can share information on abusive employers. They should also not be afraid and hesitant to notify Philippine embassy and consulate officials about blacklisted employers who have managed to again hire Filipino workers.
Withdrawal fee?
Ma. Cristina Posada applied with P&R Manpower Services Incorporated as a household service worker in Hong Kong. When the agency asked her for a fee of P10,000, she decided to back out. But according to her, the recruitment agency insisted she fork over P15,000 to reclaim her passport.
After Cristina brought her complaint to Radyo Inquirer, Bantay OCW coordinated with her agency. Under the law, OFWs and applicants who wish to claim their passports from their respective agencies should not be asked for any “withdrawal fee.”
P&R Manpower Services denied it had asked Cristina for a withdrawal fee. The agency also told us to advise Cristina to return to their office to collect her passport. On June 24, 2012, she was able to retrieve her passport without any fee. –Susan K, Philippine Daily Inquirer
Susan Andes, aka Susan K. is on board at Radyo Inquirer 990 dzIQ AM, Monday to Friday 12:30-2:00 p.m. with audio/video live streaming: www.dziq.am. Hotlines: 535-7209/881-9423/0920-968.4700.E-mail: susankbantayocw@yahoo.com/bantayocwfoundation@yahoo.com
September 18 –
International Equal Pay Day
“Increase wages now,
more than other cost items.
For widespread, practical equality!”
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
September –
5 Sept – Intl Day of Charity
7 Sept – Intl Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies
8 Sept – International Literacy Day
12 Sept – United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation
15 Sept – International Day of Democracy
16 Sept – International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
17 Sept – World Patient Safety Day
18 Sept – International Equal Pay Day
21 Sept – International Day of Peace
26 Sept – International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons
27 Sept – World Tourism Day
28 Sept – International Day for Universal Access to Information
29 Sept – International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste
30 Sept – World Maritime Day
Monthly Observances:
Health, Safety and Sanitation Month
National Clean-up Month
Civil Service Month
National Peace Consciousness Month
Social Security Month
Rule of Law Month
National Teachers’ Month (Sept 5-Oct 4)
Weekly Observances:
Sept 17 – 23:
World Clean and Green Week
Week 2: Education Week
Week 4: Medicine Week
Last Week: National Family Week
Daily Observances:
Third Saturday:
International Coastal Clean-up Day
Third Monday: World Health Day
Last Friday: National Maritime Day
Sept 8: National Literacy Day
Sept 15: Philippine Medicine Day
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