THE PHILIPPINE government is putting on hold all contract applications of first-time Filipino domestic workers bound for Kuwait until significant reforms are reached from bilateral talks. “Newcomers, who have never worked as domestic helpers abroad or those who have worked as domestic helpers but not in Kuwait, must wait first because the department seeks to […]
Tag: workers
Kuwait deployment ban sought
SENATOR Rafael “Raffy” T. Tulfo has reiterated his call for the Philippines to ban the deployment of Filipino workers to Kuwait after reports of another domestic worker who was allegedly abused by his employer. A 34-year-old overseas Filipino worker in Kuwait named Myla Balbag was paralyzed after jumping from a third-floor window to escape from […]
Gov’t assures continued health workers’ allowance after end of state of calamity
By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Reporter THE GOVERNMENT on Wednesday assured that the payout of COVID-19 allowance to health workers will not be affected by the expiration of a 2020 state of calamity that was declared due to the health crisis. “That will continue,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. said after meeting with health officials […]
House passes bill lowering retirement age for gov’t workers
THE HOUSE of Representatives approved on Tuesday a bill seeking to lower the optional retirement age of government workers to 56 from 60. At Tuesday’s plenary session, the measure received 268 ‘yes’ votes, one ‘no’, and 1 abstention. Under House Bill No. 206, a potential retiree must have rendered at least 15 years of service, […]
Tulfo calls for Senate probe on PHL-Kuwait agreement, worker contract
A SENATOR has filed a resolution seeking to investigate, in aid of legislation, the existing Philippine-Kuwait bilateral labor agreement and standard employment contract, citing the deaths of close to 200 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Middle Eastern country since 2016. Senator Rafael “Raffy” T. Tulfo, under Senate Resolution 448, noted the need to establish […]
Gatchalian seeks social protection for freelance worker
SEN. Win Gatchalian has filed a bill seeking to provide social protection for freelance workers in the country as the sector is expected to sustain growth moving forward. “Freelancing has become a significant career choice, especially among our young workers even before the Covid-19 pandemic. With the expected rise of freelance workers in years to […]
Remains of Filipino worker murdered in Kuwait to be repatriated on Friday
THE REMAINS of a Filipino worker who was allegedly murdered by the 17-year-old son of her employer will be repatriated from Kuwait on Friday, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). The Filipino domestic helper, Jullebee Cabilis Ranara, was reportedly abused and killed brutally, then left in a desert by the perpetrator. “The remains […]
DMW to set up overseas offices to verify employers
THE DEPARTMENT of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Wednesday said it aims to set up offices in every country destination for Filipino workers to verify potential employers after it was revealed in a Senate hearing that an increasing number of Filipinos are being trafficked by fake companies abroad. Senator Ana Theresia “Risa” N. Hontiveros-Baraquel, who chaired […]
Labor groups report PHL govt’s rights violations vs workers to ILO mission
By John Victor D. Ordoñez, Reporter PHILIPPINE TRADE unions submitted a joint report on Monday to the International Labor Organization (ILO) on recent human rights violations and cases of harassment against workers and union organizers. In the 155-page report, the groups highlighted what they called the consistent failure of the Philippine government to comply with […]
Labor group says SC ruling favoring Lazada riders a victory for security of tenure
A LABOR group on Sunday said a Supreme Court (SC) decision in favor of delivery riders who were dismissed by Lazada E-Services Philippines, Inc. upholds the right of security of tenure. “In this historic case, the SC Second Division has once again put flesh and blood to the constitutional provision of protection to labor and […]
DMW plans to repatriate 300 Filipinos living in Kuwait temporary shelters
THE DEPARTMENT of Migrant Workers (DMW) is planning to repatriate at least 300 Filipino workers currently staying in temporary Philippine government-run shelters in Kuwait, according to a department official. At an online press briefing on Monday, Migrant Workers Undersecretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac said he is in Kuwait with labor officials to arrange a speedy […]
DMW seeking to deploy more caregivers to HK
THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said on Thursday that it is planning to hold bilateral talks with Hong Kong (HK) labor officials to deploy more caregivers to the city this year. In a statement, the DMW said a delegation will hold exploratory talks in Hong Kong next month to discuss caregiver jobs and the […]
DMW, DoJ tightening watch on human trafficking within ASEAN neighbors
THE DEPARTMENT of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Tuesday said it is working closely with the Department of Justice (DoJ) to strengthen the monitoring and action against human trafficking activities within the southeast Asian region that target Filipino workers. “We continue to maintain a tight watch on the online illegal recruitment and trafficking of our workers […]
QC trial court acquits 10 human rights workers of perjury
By John Victor D. Ordoñez, Reporter A QUEZON City trial court has acquitted 10 human rights workers from perjury charges filed by a former national security adviser in 2019. In a 45-page decision released on Monday, the court said government prosecutors failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the respondents deliberately lied in their petitions […]
DMW assists stranded overseas Filipino workers in rebooking, contacting employers
THE DEPARTMENT of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Wednesday said it will continue to provide assistance to stranded Filipino workers, including travel arrangements and contacting employers, after their flights were canceled on Jan. 1 due to a glitch in the country’s air control system. “We will continue to man our airports and support our OFWs (overseas […]
156 illegal offshore gaming workers deported in 2022
A TOTAL of 156 foreigners linked to illegal offshore gaming companies have been deported as of Dec. 31, according to the Bureau of Immigration (BI). In a letter to Immigration Commissioner Norman G. Tansingco sent to reporters on Wednesday, BI Legal Division Chief Arvin Cesar G. Santos said 212 foreign workers of Philippine Offshore Gaming […]
Nearly 800k Filipinos find jobs abroad in second half of 2022
NEARLY 800,000 Filipinos found work abroad from July to December this year with the help of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). DMW Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople said Friday, Dec. 30, 2022, that the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. not only helped 766,290 Filipinos find jobs abroad but also provided scholarships to their children […]
DMW to provide training, aid for human trafficking victims
By John Victor D. Ordoñez, Reporter THE DEPARTMENT of Migrant Workers (DMW) plans to provide livelihood and retraining programs for jobseekers who fell victim to human trafficking schemes, an official said. “We are working closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the office of Senator Ana Theresia N. Hontiveros-Baraquel for possible retooling programs […]
Aboitiz unit sponsors 50 in Cebu to train for scaffolding work
ABOITIZ Construction, Inc. will be sponsoring the training of 50 candidates in Cebu seeking to be certified as scaffolders in partnership with the School of Knowledge for Industrial Labor, Leadership, and Service (SKILLS). SKILLS is a foundation set up by Cebu’s Primary Group of Builders that provides technical vocational education to marginalized and unemployed youth […]
Tell it to SunStar: Party-list lawmaker to craft Magna Carta bills for daycare workers, barangay nutrition scholars
Following up on successfully sending to the Senate the proposed Magna Carta for Barangay Health Workers, Barangay Health and Wellness (BHW) Party-list Rep. Angelica Natasha Co said she is now focused on having the House of Representatives approve two more magna cartas. “Next in line are the proposed Magna Carta for Day Care Workers and […]