MANILA, Philippines- Hinimok ng Commission on Human Rights (CHR) ang gobyerno na mas paghusayin ang proteksyon at kapakanan ng overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) ng bansa para sa kanilang napakahalagang kontribusyon sa ekonomiya.
Ang panawagan ay inihayag kasabay ng pagdiriwang ng bansa ng Migrant Workers Day, upang maging ganap na batas ang Republic Act No. 8042, Migrant Workers Act of 1995.
Minandato ng RA 8042 na magtatag ang pamahalaan ng “policies of overseas employment and establish a higher standard of protection and promotion of the welfare of migrant workers, their families and overseas Filipinos in distress….”
Sa isang kalatas, tinukoy ng CHR ang maraming hamon na hinaharap ng OFWs sa ibang bansa gaya ng mahiwalay sa kanilang mahal sa buhay at ‘unfamiliar working conditions.’
“Given all their sacrifices, the welfare and dignity of every migrant worker must be upheld. Their quality of life, including that of their families, must be improved and sustained,” ang sinabi ng Komisyon.
Sinabi pa rin nito na: “This entails protecting their rights and welfare beyond borders, especially those who are at heightened risk of experiencing poor working conditions, human trafficking, abuse, discrimination, and limited access to justice. It also includes support for those subjected to foreign justice systems, particularly where the death penalty is enforced.”
Sinabi pa rin ng CHR na, “The protection of the rights of migrant workers must include recognition of their diverse needs upon reintegration into their home country. This may involve providing social protection measures such as unemployment assistance, job-matching services, access to social pensions, and retirement benefits. Equally important is the provision of psychosocial support for survivors of abuse and trafficking.”
Tinukoy nito ang panibagong obserbasyon ng United Nations Committee on Migrant Workers na nananawagan para sa mas malakas na ‘protection measures’ para sa OFWs at hinikayat ang Philippine government na bumalangkas ng ‘national action plan, policy frameworks, at magsagawa ng pagsasaliksik para palakasin ang support systems, lalo na para sa vulnerable groups.
“As we honor OFWs as modern-day heroes, it is imperative for the State to take concrete and sustained actions to uphold their dignity and that of their families,” diing pahayag ng CHR.
Sa panahong ito ng ‘economic instability at shifting immigration policies,’ sinabi ng CHR na deserve ng OFWs ang nagpapatuloy na ‘legal assistance, reintegration support, at protection mechanisms.’
“CHR continues to advocate for accessible and comprehensive services for OFWs,” kasabay ng muling pagpapatibay sa commitment “to promote a society where the rights and freedoms of every Filipino migrant worker are fully protected and upheld.” Kris Jose
