PRESS RELEASE NO. 3

MANILA, Oct. 27—When it comes to protecting its migrant workers, the Philippines has some of the best laws and programs in promoting the rights and welfare of its Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

Lawrence Dacuycuy, De La Salle University (DLSU) department of economic chair, said that government’s active role in promoting the rights and welfare of its OFWs all over the world can be attested to the creation of the Overseas Welfare Workers Administration (OWWA) and Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) which assist overseas workers in case of contractual and other difficulties with their employers.
 

The DLSU economics chair also stated that the institutions established by the Philippines to promote and protect its migrant workers’ rights continue to set the standards other countries emulate.

Dacuycuy also gave the national government high marks for its efforts to improve the  quality of skills and English language proficiency of Filipino caregivers and seafarers, two of the top skills categories of OFWs, with training being provided by the Technical and Skills Development Agency (TESDA).

The Philippines cemented its lead as the top provider of high-caliber seafarers to the world for its sailors’ English proficiency and seamanship skills.

He also credited the Philippine government for establishing worldwide the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLO) to assist OFWs promote their rights and welfare especially in areas of social security and medical care.

He also lauded the Department of Labor and Employment’s  (DOLE)  “Supermaid” program which aims to provide more skills and trainings to OFWs  engaged in household services abroad.

 Likewise, Dacuycuy cited the government for creating a mechanism for giving re-employment and reintegration opportunities to OFWs displaced by the recent conflicts in Iraq and Lebanon.