CBCP, migrant workers' organizations support move to increase DH salaries

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, recruitment agencies and a migrant workers' organization are supporting the move of the Department of Labor and Employment to raise the salaries of overseas Filipino domestic workers and uplift their condition.

The CBCP's Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People (ECMI), the Philippine Migrants Rights Watch (PMRW), and the Association for Professionalism in Overseas Employment (ASPROE), composed of non-fee charging licensed recruitment agencies, have issued separate positions endorsing the labor department's efforts to help domestic helpers.

Labor and Employment Secretary Arturo Brion yesterday welcomed the endorsements, saying the DOLE's effort to push for the increase in overseas DH's wages will soon materialize and benefit thousands of workers and their families.

The Philippine government, through the labor department is now working to raise the overseas Filipino household workers to US$400 from US$200.

In a position paper, the CBCP-ECMI said it commends the governing board of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, chaired by Secretary Brion, for issuing resolutions reflecting the government's firm determination to pursue reforms that would globally improve the conditions of domestic helpers overseas.

The ECMI specifically hailed the imposition of a minimum age requirement of 25 years old for overseas DHs; a minimum wage of $400; the no-placement fee policy; and the training of pre-qualification certificate requirement. Its position mainly reflected the three groups' unanimous endorsement of the government's moves.

"Having raised the minimum age requirement of DHs to 25 years old, our household workers (abroad) would have better psycho-emotional and physical preparation for the work," adding that "the minimum salary of $400 is the most natural thing (in hiring Filipino) skilled workers," the ECMI said.

On the other hand, ASPROE said the pertinent resolutions issued by the POEA Governing Board in pursuit of better pay and conditions for overseas DHs "are vital to the welfare, well being, and empowerment of the overseas Filipino household workers."

It expressed strong support for the resolution prohibiting placement fees saying that "the vast majority if not totality of individuals seeking jobs overseas are from the less privileged portion of society," and thus, "placement fees... may not be necessarily moral and just."

Likewise, the PMRW said it is supporting the DOLE's new policies for the upliftment of the vulnerable overseas DHs.

Quoting International Labor Organization, PMRW said that employment agencies shall not charge any fees or costs to workers.

"Placement fees pose a heavy burden to aspiring migrant workers and they are a primary source of abuse and exploitation to applicants before they leave the country," PMRW said in its position paper. - Wenna A. Berondo