House bill seeking to enhance OFWs protection filed

MANILA – KABAYAN Party-list Rep. Ron Salo on Tuesday filed House Bill (SB) 10821 or the "OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) Registry Act" seeking to enhance the efficiency of the overseas employment process and provide comprehensive support for Filipino workers aspiring to work abroad.

"The OFW Registry Bill is a proactive step to safeguard the welfare of our OFWs by ensuring that only those who are competent, prepared, and fully aware of the challenges they may face are deployed for overseas work," Salo said after filing SB 10821.

The bill mandates that all valid job orders be posted in the registry, providing OFWs with the assurance that job offers are legitimate and verified.

He said this transparency will protect OFWs from fraudulent job offers and ensure that they are fully informed of the opportunities available to them.

"By requiring recruitment agencies to post all valid job orders in the OFW Registry, we are providing our workers with a reliable source of information, reducing the risks of exploitation, and ensuring that they are making informed decisions about their employment abroad," he added.

A critical provision of the bill states that "any recruitment activities outside the OFW Registry, or those exempted by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), shall be considered illegal recruitment."

"This ensures that all recruitment practices are conducted within a regulated framework, further safeguarding OFWs from unscrupulous activities," Salo said.

Another key feature of the bill is its focus on ending the deployment of unprepared OFWs. With the centralized OFW Registry, recruitment agencies no longer need to search in remote areas for workers. Instead, they can concentrate on those who are already registered and assessed for readiness, ensuring that only individuals who meet the necessary standards are deployed.

Additionally, recruitment will be limited to those listed in the OFW Registry.

"The days of deploying unprepared OFWs are over. This bill ensures that our recruitment agencies can focus on individuals who have been properly vetted and prepared, thereby reducing the risk of employment-related issues abroad," Salo said.

He said the OFW Registry Bill represents a comprehensive approach in addressing the multifaceted challenges of overseas employment.

"It underscores the government's commitment to protecting the welfare and interests of our migrant workers while promoting transparency and accountability in the recruitment process," he added. (PNA)