Manila, Philippines – An administration congressman welcomed the decision of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to withdraw the list of 41 so-called non-compliant countries where overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are barred from deployment.
However, Rep. Rex Gatchalian (NPC, Valenzuela) chided the DFA for the confusion that followed when it submitted the list to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).
The POEA banned the deployment of OFWs to the 41 countries after receiving a DFA notice that they lack labor laws that would protect OFWs.
“I welcome the decision of the DFA to withdraw the list. The move showed that the agency was willing to rectify an obviously flawed recommendation judging from the negative reactions it received not only from the affected OFWs but also from the stakeholders and industry players,” said Gatchalian, whose advocacies include the welfare of OFWs.
Gatchalian likewise urged the DFA to carefully study the certification process before submitting a new list “which should be in accordance with what was stipulated in Section 3 of RA (Republic Act) 10022 that amended the RA 8042 or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995.” (Ben R. Rosario)