Pinoy worker deployment policy overhaul eyed

With the continuing exodus of Filipino workers abroad, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is set to "overhaul" the country’s deployment policies in an effort to minimize abuses and other welfare cases among Filipino migrant workers.

Labor Secretary Arturo Brion said the government is undertaking certain revisions on the pre-departure orientation system (PDOS) and will embark on a crackdown against agencies violating the new regulations.

"We will overhaul the PDOS and make it more country specific and in depth as we have seen Filipinos could easily adjust in their new work abroad if the orientation is more in depth," Brion pointed out.

Brion added that he has instructed the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to review its current system in accrediting private agencies that provide PDOS to departing Filipino workers.

"There are a lot of OWWA-accredited agencies giving PDOS to departing OFWs but I asked OWWA to look at them and cancel the licenses of those unable to meet the new standards," Brion said.

All overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are mandated to undergo PDOS from OWWA, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) or accredited recruitment agencies prior to departure.

Labor officials said the pre-departure orientation seminars provide the departing workers information about the culture and traditions in the country of their posting and help them avoid problems with their employers.

Yet, a large number of Filipino workers still experience "culture shock" upon arrival, which forces them to run away from their foreign employers.

Aside from the changes in the PDOS, Brion said, the government will be pushing programs that would ensure deployment of at least one million OFWs and guarantee their protection.

In line with next year’s policy thrust, Brion said, the government will focus the deployment of Filipinos to countries considered as "friendly and high end" markets.

The government will also pursue bilateral agreements with host countries and enhance coordination concerning efforts to plug illegal migration of Filipino workers as well as strictly enforce selective deployment restriction.