Marcoleta calls for strong legal protection for OFWs

REP. Rodante Marcoleta (SAGIP PL) has urged the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to ensure that strong legal protection mechanisms are in place for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who get involved in labor issues in their host countries.

Marcoleta underscored the urgent need for “tangible and effective measures to safeguard the rights and well-being of OFWs. As the government continues to navigate the complexities of protecting its migrant workers, these discussions highlight the imperative for comprehensive and robust protection frameworks to support the nation’s OFWs, who play a crucial role in the country’s development.”

“The severe vulnerabilities faced by OFWs, such as household service workers and semi-skilled laborers, who often endure various forms of abuse in host countries like Saudi Arabia. It is important that robust legal frameworks are in place to protect these workers effectively,” Marcoleta said, noting how Saudi employers misuse the Absher app and arbitrarily report workers as “huroob” (absconding), which effectively strips OFWs of their legal rights.

He also said that the government’s One Repatriation Command Center is a quick-fix solution that “fails to address the fundamental need for legal protection and the vindication of OFW rights.”

DMW Secretary Hans Cacdad has assured lawmakers of his commitment to enhancing the agency’s regulatory functions, citing its continuous crackdown on exploitative employment agencies, and the increase in the number of its legal hires.

Cacdac has also said that the DMW has been providing legal, medical, and humanitarian assistance to OFWs through the P1.2 billion AKSYON fund and establishing equitable bilateral arrangements with host countries.

Marcoleta said the DMW must go beyond palliative measures and offer comprehensive protection to the country’s modern-day heroes, adding he is concerned about the department’s reliance on legal retainers, which he said is insufficient to address the volume and complexity of cases faced by OFWs.

He also said the DMW should shoulder the costs of legal and immigration-related penalties on OFWs, increase its in-house secular lawyers to ensure adequate legal defense for