Legislators crafting the law creating a department of OFWs should seriously consider hiring more Filipinos who are based overseas to help the Philippine embassies and consulates, an advocate for OFWs said.
Roy “RJ” Señeres Jr., president of OFW Family Club, said one of the biggest problems besetting the government is that of resolving conflicts between OFWs and their employers.
“Napapanahon na [that] we introduce a new breed of foreign officials to serve in the foreign service. These are the former OFWs, community leaders abroad, and individuals or personalities from the job/ recruitment industry kasi sila mismo ang may experience,” Señeres said in the Facebook page of OFW Family Partylist.
Señeres, who grew up in the UAE since his late father Roy Señeres was the labor attaché and then later as ambassador, said Filipinos overseas who are already residents or even citizens in other countries are assets that should be hired and compensated for their contribution to the Filipino communities overseas.
He cited OFW leaders in the Middle East who “risked” their legal status “just to accommodate” distressed OFWs even though it is forbidden for foreign nationals to be an arbiter of sorts to labor disputes.
“They speak fluently the language. Nakikihalubilo sila sa police station kasi alam nila ang Arabic, para sa rescue operation, disputes with the employer,” he added.
Señeres is helping OFW Family Partylist Rep. Alberto “Bobby” Pacquiao draft his own bill creating an OFW department.
Pacquiao’s version include hiring “local freelancers” or “home-based” workers who will be hired as “independent contractors” without formal employee-employer relationships.
The OFW Family Party List solon will submit his bill in the House of Representatives this week.
