RP sets domestic helpers’ summit

Only in the Philippines would you find a national meeting on the subject of housemaids.

The upcoming National Domestic Workers’ Summit is part of the country’s push to seek stronger measures to protect Filipinos working as household helpers here and abroad, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). Some eight million Filipinos leave to work overseas every year, and many of them find work as domestic helpers — or maids.

No less than President Arroyo and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo will be involved in the summit, to be held in Marikina City from Sept. 21 to 23.

Mrs. Arroyo is expected to deliver the closing address on the last day of the summit, which will focus on a heightened commitment from the government to support and protect domestic workers — who remit hundreds of millions of dollars per year to the country in earnings.

DFA Office of the Migrant Workers Affairs (OUMWA) executive director Pedro Chan will represent the agency at the summit.

Romulo said the DFA recognizes the need to provide greater protection and enhancement of the welfare of domestic workers here and abroad, since the provision of assistance to nationals is considered the third pillar of the Philippines’ foreign policy.

Through the monitoring of its foreign-service posts worldwide, Romulo said the DFA is very much aware of the difficulties that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) face abroad.

"With the many cases of abuse by agencies and employers reported by our various posts overseas, the DFA sees the urgent need to elevate the level of discussion and create a venue for constructive engagement among domestic workers, employers’ associations, government and other social partners," Romulo said.

The database of the Assistance to Nationals Division of the OUMWA of the DFA showed that domestic workers make up a large percentage of OFWs.

The most recent International Labor Organization (ILO) study has estimated that in 2002 alone, domestic workers accounted for 22 percent of newly hired OFWs. The DFA noted that the demand abroad for Filipino domestic workers has been high over the years and that the future composition of domestic workers is expected to remain significant.

Romulo stressed that the government acknowledges the economic contributions of all OFWs. "Our domestic workers, through their leaders and advocates, call for more responsive national policies and programs. The National Summit serves as a vehicle that will harmonize all opinions and elicit realistic recommendations and plans from the government, workers and other social partners," he added.

The only question is, after the summit is over, who’s going to clean up?