SENATOR JOEL Villanueva on Monday called on concerned government agencies to intensify efforts in enforcing labor agreements with other countries to protect overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from abuse and maltreatment.
Villanueva’s appeal comes amid discussions of a possible deployment ban to Kuwait after the suspicious deaths of two Filipino workers.
The senator highlighted the Philippines' labor agreements with Kuwait, signed in 2018 and renewed in 2021, which guarantee OFWs rights such as the ability to retain their passports and mobile phones and receive adequate food, housing, and health insurance from employers.
“We cannot be reactive and rely on a ban-lift-ban cycle of OFW deployment,” Villanueva said in a statement.
He also called for stricter recruitment policies and ensuring host countries comply with bilateral agreements safeguarding the welfare and rights of OFWs.
“Every OFW sent abroad must be guaranteed safe workplaces, decent living conditions, proper wages, and the ability to return home safely and with income worthy of their sacrifices,” he added.
Villanueva said strict enforcement of these agreements, along with adherence to international labor laws, is crucial in preventing the exploitation of migrant workers.
“Hindi po katanggap-tanggap ang paulit-ulit na balita ng pangmamaltrato, pang-aabuso o pagkamatay ng ating mga bagong bayani. Kailangan na pong tuldukan ito (Repeated news of mistreatment, abuse or death of our new heroes is unacceptable. It needs to stop),” he said. (Wilnard Bacelonia)
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