FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE ) Second Regular Session )

SENATE

P. S. Res. No. 9

INTRODUCED BY SENATOR VILLAR

RESOLUTION URGING THE SENATE COMMITTEES ON LABOR, EMPLOYMENT AND HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT AND FOREIGN RELATIONS TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE STANDARD PROCEDURES FOLLOWED BY THE DIPLOMATIC POSTS AND THE PHILIPPINE OVERSEAS LABOR OFFICES (POLO) IN PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS INCLUDING THE RECENTLY REPORTED CASE OF FAILURE TO HELP AND ILL TREATMENT OF OFWS IN DISTRESS IN WITH THE END IN VIEW OF RECOMMENDING MEANINGFUL AND HUMANE LEGISLATION FOR FILIPINO MIGRANT WORKERS

Whereas, the Philippine government established various agencies to facilitate and assist in the attainment of the welfare and protection of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs);

Whereas, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) was established as the primary government agency mandated to promote gainful employment opportunities, develop human resources, protect workers and promote their welfare, and maintain industrial peace;

Whereas, the plight of seven Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Qatar who were retrenched by their employers alongside their struggle for survival was exposed in the Pinoy UAE blog (pinoyuae.blog.friendster.com)dated December 28,2008;

Whereas, subsequent to the OFWs decision of staying in Qatar as they waited for the resolution of the labor case filed against their employer vis-&vis the deprivation of their four months salary, they sought help from an official of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) for legal assistance;

Whereas, it was reported that an official of the POLO in Qatar allegedly turned a deaf ear to the OFWs when they asked for an interpreter to assist them in the labor case trial;

Whereas, moreover, the official's resistance to help the defenseless welders was even magnified when it was stressed that the sole concern of the official was to deploy the OFWs back to the Philippines as he uttered disregard of the workers' labor case; Whereas, the OFWs then had to beg for food at the Corniche and Fish Market to maintain sustenance, as well as to ask money from in Qatar and even scavenge shrimp heads before it was thrown at the local Fish Market;

Whereas, the POLO functions as the satellite office of the DOLE to protect workers in various countries where they are deployed;

Whereas, the Employment Enhancement Program of DOLE promotes the social Protection and Welfare of the workers through dispersed operating units such as the POLOs;

Whereas, given this mandate, it is the primary responsibility of the POLOs through the directive of the labor attachi, to attend to the problems of our workers, particularly the most vulnerable groups such as those who were retrenched and displaced from their jobs;

Whereas, the actions demonstrated by the POLO officials in Qatar were clear manifestations of the neglect of their responsibility in helping the seven OFWs who sought for assistance in form of legal aid and the provision of necessities such as food;

Whereas, the satellite agencies should exhibit the highest thrusts of service to the workers, especially those who need immediate help, by means of providing for the basic necessities such as food to sustain their survival, despite the circumstances of the case; NOW THEREFORE BE IT

RESOLVED, as it is hereby resolved, to urge the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development, and Foreign Relations to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the standard procedures followed by the diplomatic posts and the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLO) in providing assistance to Overseas Filipino Workers including the recently reported case of failure to help and ill treatment of OFWs in distress in Qatar with the end in view of recommending meaningful and humane legislation for Filipino migrant workers.

Adopted,

MANNY ILLAR Sena1 or

2