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‘OFW Handbook’ bill passes House committee level

The House committee on overseas workers affairs approved on the bill that seeks to produce handbook containing rights of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

The substitute bill, “Handbook for OFWs Act of 2018,” tasks the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to produce a handbook to develop and publish a handbook for OFWs containing the existing migrant laws in the Philippines. The handbook should also 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.

Authored by Rep. Rogelio Pacquiao, the substitute 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.

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