Solon pushes migrant workers’ protection

Senator Raffy Tulfo on Tuesday is seeking further protection of overseas Filipino workers by implementing a similar labor management framework for migrant workers being done in Singapore.

This, as the lawmaker commended Singapore's recognition of the migrant workers' great contributions to their economy, citing that the implementation of policies addressing maltreatment, abuses and other human rights violations against migrant workers has been effective in urging OFWs to do their jobs better.

On Monday, the senator met with Singaporean Ambassador to the Philippines Constance See to discuss the plight of OFWs in Singapore as the envoy praised the Filipino workers' diligence and perseverance to complete their jobs.

Under the Labor Management Framework, Singaporean labor officers regularly visit and check the conditions of each migrant worker employed in their country to make sure they are safe from abusive employers.

See disclosed that Singaporean law requires migrant workers' employers to undergo seminars and training before they are allowed to employ overseas workers.

Tulfo, who chairs the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers, seeks a similar policy to be implemented in other countries, particularly in the Middle East — where many Filipinos are currently being employed.

"Singapore can be considered a model country for other countries to emulate," the senator said. "If such laws and policies are implemented in Singapore, it is not impossible to implement them in other places where there are OFWs such as countries in the Middle East."