(Part One)
Let me count the ways. While its services are far from perfect, it is neither fair nor truthful to lambast government for not doing anything for our living heroes, who bring home a bacon worth no less than 20 billion US dollars annually in remittances. The government serves the migrant workers, not so much because they bring in money, albeit not to the government coffers, but to their families.
This is not about money. This is about the fact that they are Filipinos, working in strange, and often harsh environment. They need help and they deserve full protection from their government. And so, let me count the ways. From the time a Filipino decides to work abroad, until their deployment to different countries of destination, from their first day of work until they finish their contract, the government guides them, supports them and fight for their just and humane conditions of work.
There are, of course, many cases of failure, and inefficiencies, some insufficient and belated actions, but all these were not out of intent, but rather, out of utter lack of time, resources and staff on the ground. There are now 11 million OFWs in more than 200 countries and the ratio between staff and clients is a miserable one staff working for more than 78,000 OFWs.
Government, however, is all out for the OFWs. It sets the rules and build the structures that are all mandated to help the migrant workers, the POEA, OWWA, the DOLE’s International Labor Affairs Bureau, the Office of the Secretary, Undersecretary, and the whole instrumentality of the Department of Foreign Affairs, its embassies all over the world, and the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant affairs. All are mandated to focus on the third pillar of Philippine diplomacy, which is assistance to Filipino nationals, regardless of whether or not they are documented, and anywhere in the world, and under any circumstances.
Government protects Filipinos from traffickers and illegal recruiters. The forces of our law-enforcing agencies, the Immigration officers, the NBI, the prosecutors and judges are all in support for the migrant workers, in case they find themselves involved in cases of illegal recruitment or trafficking as victims. Government makes sure that all workers going abroad should be documented, with proof of a clean bill of health and clearances indicating that they are good people of good moral character.
Government also gives all OFWs a PDOS or a Pre-Departure Seminar, informing them of the unique cultural, legal and social millieu in those alien territories they are venturing into. They are oriented into their rights as migrants under international law and conventions, and as workers under the Labor Code, the Migrant Workers Act and other applicable statutes, as well as per the terms and conditions contained in their employment contracts.
They are amply warned of cultural shocks and possible contrasts in social norms, conflicts in religious and moral values and differences in language and behavior patterns. They are told that there is an Embassy that will protect them in case of danger to life, liberty and to human dignity, as well as to high risks to health, safety and honor.
They are assured that there is a Labor Attaché who will run to their location to rescue them in case of extreme risks. And that there is a Welfare Officer who will bring them to the hospitals or clinics in the event of injury or sickness and they are unattended by their employers and agencies.
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Email: jbjimenez_prof.atty@yahoo.com