DMW, recruiters tackle worker safety
THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Friday met with recruitment agencies on the deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to strengthen protection for them in these countries. The DMW said the dialogue, held at the DMW's Central Office, was part of a consultation series with stakeholders following the deaths of two workers in Kuwait. "Our goal in policymaking is not just for the sake of doing policy, but to actually protect our people and save lives," said Patricia Yvonne Caunan, undersecretary for policy and international cooperation at the DMW. "The overall value that we have is to give importance to the OFWs, who should be the center of everything that we do." The meeting tackled "the challenges in the monitoring of the workers on site, the terms and conditions specified in the employment contracts, and the compliance of the recruitment agencies and their foreign counterparts." Recruitment agencies suggested including specifics and job descriptions in the employment contracts and also shortening OFWs' duration of employment from two years to only a year, while the DMW told them to be vigilant in monitoring the status and conditions of their workers and to also be responsive in case of any urgent concerns. They were also informed by the DMW to always ensure the return of their deployed workers at their contracts' end, as well as report erring foreign recruitment agencies to protect OFWs from exploitation. Both sides also agreed to a proposal to have workers and their families "understand the risks and opportunities of working abroad," the DMW said. The agencies involved in the meeting were the Philippine Association of Service Exporters Inc., the Philippine Recruitment Agencies Accredited to Saudi Arabia, and the Coalition of Licensed Recruitment Agencies for Domestic and Service Workers. Two Filipino workers, Jenny Alvarado and Dafnie Nacalaban, died in Kuwait under different circumstances. Alvarado died of coal inhalation on Jan. 2, while Nacalaban's remains were discovered in her employer's backyard after she was reported missing for two months.
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Friday met with recruitment agencies on the deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to strengthen protection for them in these countries.
The DMW said the dialogue, held at the DMW's Central Office, was part of a consultation series with stakeholders following the deaths of two workers in Kuwait.
"Our goal in policymaking is not just for the sake of doing policy, but to actually protect our people and save lives," said Patricia Yvonne Caunan, undersecretary for policy and international cooperation at the DMW. "The overall value that we have is to give importance to the OFWs, who should be the center of everything that we do."
The meeting tackled "the challenges in the monitoring of the workers on site, the terms and conditions specified in the employment contracts, and the compliance of the recruitment agencies and their foreign counterparts."
Recruitment agencies suggested including specifics and job descriptions in the employment contracts and also shortening OFWs' duration of employment from two years to only a year, while the DMW told them to be vigilant in monitoring the status and conditions of their workers and to also be responsive in case of any urgent concerns.
They were also informed by the DMW to always ensure the return of their deployed workers at their contracts' end, as well as report erring foreign recruitment agencies to protect OFWs from exploitation.
Both sides also agreed to a proposal to have workers and their families "understand the risks and opportunities of working abroad," the DMW said.
The agencies involved in the meeting were the Philippine Association of Service Exporters Inc., the Philippine Recruitment Agencies Accredited to Saudi Arabia, and the Coalition of Licensed Recruitment Agencies for Domestic and Service Workers.
Two Filipino workers, Jenny Alvarado and Dafnie Nacalaban, died in Kuwait under different circumstances. Alvarado died of coal inhalation on Jan. 2, while Nacalaban's remains were discovered in her employer's backyard after she was reported missing for two months.
