DMW, QC team up to protect OFWs

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has partnered with the Quezon City government for the advancement and protection of the rights of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), as well as their families, according to a report by Philippine News Agency.

In a press statement Thursday, DMW Secretary Susan ‘Toots’ Ople said the collaboration with the QC government will pave the way for a brighter future for the children and families of OFWs who are residents of the city.

"Masasabi natin na inaalay natin sa lahat ng kababaihan, lalo na 'yung mga kasambahay natin nagsasakripisyo, naghihirap sa abroad pero bukod dyan, alay din natin ang partnership na ito sa kanilang mga pamilya, lalo na 'yung mga anak, para hindi malulong sa drugs, hindi mabiktima ng exploitation, hindi nabu-bully sa eskwelahan, at maging mataas at matayog ang pangarap nila sa buhay (We can say that we are dedicating this to all women, especially those sacrificing to work as household workers abroad, and besides that, we dedicate this partnership to their families, especially their children, so they don't go into drugs, do not become victims of exploitation, don’t become victims of bullying in schools, so they can aim higher in life)," she said.

Under the memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed Wednesday, the city government through its Public Employment Service Office (PESO), and the DMW will strengthen the full protection, promotion, and realization of the rights of OFWs, especially women, and their families in Quezon City.

The agreement also aims to further develop appropriate, effective, and efficient services and programs.

Quezon City is the first local government unit (LGU) to sign a partnership with the DMW on the protection of migrant workers’ rights.

Following the MOA signing, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte assured OFWs in the city that the city government will continue to strengthen its partnership with the DMW to ensure that migrant workers receive the benefits they are entitled to.

"Kami ay tunay na makikipagtulungan upang protektahan ang inyong kalagayan at inyong mga anak. Sisiguruhin namin na lagi kayong ligtas at mapupunan ang inyong mga pangangailangan (We will really cooperate for the protection of your welfare and that of your children. We will ensure that you will always be safe and your needs adequately met)" Belmonte said.

Prior to the agreement, Belmonte launched the QC Migrant Resource Center under the PESO through City Ordinance 2500-2016.

On Wednesday, a soft launch of the city’s E-Habilin project or the QC OFW Safe Migration and Reintegration for OFW Children Left Behind (QC-OFW SMARt Child), an online portal for OFWs where they can register their children was held.

The said project will commit to the protection and upholding of the welfare of the children of migrant women through the city’s various social protection programs.

In the meantime, Ople said the department plans to partner with other LGU’s especially now that illegal recruitment and online human trafficking cases are on the rise.

Ople said that LGUs can help a lot in disseminating information about illegal recruitment and accommodate complaints and queries in case there are doubts about companies offering jobs abroad, and refer them to the DMW.