The House of Representatives on Tuesday, November 13, approved the proposed law mandating the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to craft a handbook which would detail the rights and responsibilities of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
House Bill 8110, a substitute bill authored by Rep. Rogelio Pacquiao, aims to empower OFWs “by providing them with standard printed information” on their rights, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of opting to work overseas.
The handbook will contain existing migrant laws in the Philippines and will tackle social and labor laws of the country of destination of the OFW.
Moreover, POEA will also be required to produce copies in simple language for easier understanding, including translation to local language, if deemed necessary.
The handbook should also contain instructions for reintegration of OFWs who will return to the Philippines.
POEA will also be tasked to provide a gender-sensitive pre-employment orientation seminar that will discuss the content of the handbook in detail including the rights and responsibilities of OFWs.
Aside from the handbook, the House also approved House Bill 1700 for final reading. The bill seeks to grant OFWs the right to equal protection on money claims.
