Tulfo: Why are we not implementing Migrant Workers’ Act?
SEN. Raffy Tulfo convenes the Congressional Oversight Committee on Migrant Workers to find answers to the pressing issues and concerns besetting the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
“It has been 2 years since the passage of this Act and yet patuloy pa rin ang mga reklamo ng ating mga OFWs at paghingi ng agarang tulong mula sa ating gobyerno.
Nakarating din sa atin ang problema sa processing and release ng OEC o yung sinasabing Overseas Employment Certificate. Mahirap makakuha ng online appointment, kadalasan down ang system kaya hindi makauwi para magbakasyon o makabalik sa trabaho sa tamang panahon ang mga OFWs natin.
Mahal din ang singil sa notary para sa kanilang required documents. Idagdag na rin natin ang kawalan ng sumasagot sa telepono tuwing sila’y tumatawag sa Migrant Workers Office,” Tulfo said in his privilege speech.
During Thursday’s organizational meeting, August 17, 2023, with officials of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Tulfo said the government needs to protect the OFWs and ensure their welfare at all times.
“Are we protecting our OFWs or are we promoting them? We must remember that the DMW Law itself states in clear and categorical terms that the State does not promote overseas employment as a means of economic growth and national development and shall continuously aim to make it a choice and not a necessity,” Tulfo said.
Republic Act 11641 or the Department of Migrant Workers Act was signed into law by then President Rodrigo Duterte on December 30, 2021 and finally took effect on February 3, 2022.
In recognition of their valuable contribution to our national economy, this law was passed to provide enhanced protection for our Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), to establish a one-stop shop for them such that their needs and concerns are addressed more swiftly and efficiently, to ensure their participation in policy-making and to provide them realistic mechanisms for reintegration, skills-development and education.
“To ensure that these goals are achieved, and this law actually works for our OFWs, Section 25 mandates the creation of a Congressional Oversight Committee on Migrant Workers.
It is for this reason and for this purpose why we are gathered here today, to exercise our mandate of monitoring and overseeing the implementation of this Act. ” Tulfo maintained.
Tulfo, who has been receiving complaints from OFWs and their families, wanted to ensure the welfare and protection of the OFWs through the DMW.
He is hoping to address their concerns more swiftly and effectively. Republic Act (RA) 11641 or the Department of Migrant Workers Act was signed into law by then President Duterte on December 30, 2021 in recognition of the valuable contribution of OFWs to the national economy.
