House bill pushes for handbook on OFW rights and reintegration

A substitute bill that aims to produce a handbook on the rights and responsibilities of migrant workers has been approved by the House committee on overseas workers affairs.

Authored by Rep. Rogelio Pacquiao, the proposed “Handbook for OFWs Act of 2018,” aims to empower overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) by making them aware of the benefits and drawbacks of working overseas.

The bill, which seeks to amend Republic Act No. 8042 or the “Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995,” also complements the worker education programs of various agencies.

Also contained in the handbook are the necessary information needed by OFWs for their reintegration once they return to the Philippines.

Approved at the committee level on Wednesday, the proposed measure specifically mandates the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to develop, publish, disseminate and update periodically a handbook for migrant workers as provided by Philippine laws and the existing labor and social laws of the countries of destination, to protect and guarantee their rights.

According to the committee, the handbook should be written in simple words that can be easily understood, with translation in local language as may be necessary.     /muf