Binay to CHED: Probe trainee abuse

 Manila, Philippines - Vice President Jejomar Binay has asked the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to look into allegations that students of tourism and hotel and restaurant management (HRM) are being exploited while undergoing on-the-job training abroad.

In a letter to CHED chairperson Patricia Licuanan, Binay said he had received reports of colleges requiring their HRM students to undergo OJT in foreign countries for three to six months, “where they work long hours as wait staff without any compensation.”

He previously received reports that students undergoing OJT in countries including Singapore were working like regular employees of hotels and other establishments but were being paid less than the minimum wage or not at all.

“These students are considered interns or trainees and are given training allowance but are being made to work full-time,” Binay said.

Previous allegations have been made that foreign establishments have been using the OJT program to circumvent minimum wage laws.