The House of Representatives has granted overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) the right to equal protection on money claims once their employment abroad has been terminated.
Under House Bill 1700, OFWs will be given a “full reimbursement of their placement fee and deduction made with interest at 12 percent per annum, plus his salaries for the unexpired portion of his employment contract,” reported Manila Standard.
An OFW who has been terminated from work for unreasonable causes shall receive his compensation for the unexpired portion of his employment contract.
The bill, authored by Party-List Reps. Tomasito Villarin of Akbayan and Jesulito Manalo of Angkla, amends the fifth paragraph of Section 10 of Republic Act 8042, as amended by RA 10022, otherwise known as “Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995.”
It aims to revoke the clause “or for three months for every year of the unexpired term whichever is less” under Paragraph 5 of Section 10 of RA 8042.
In 2009, the Supreme Court declared the clause unconstitutional as it violates equal protection afforded by the Constitution.
