Senate Committee on Migrant Workers Chair Raffy Tulfo is pushing for the creation of a Migrant Workers Relations Commission (MWRC), a dedicated body to resolve labor disputes involving overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Tulfo filed Senate Bill No. 1480, or the proposed Migrant Workers Relations Commission Act, citing delays and backlogs in the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC), which currently handles most OFW cases, including those involving illegal termination, unpaid wages, and contract disputes.

“The National Labor Relations Commission processes over 30,000 cases each year, making OFW cases especially susceptible to delays and backlogs," Tulfo said, adding that currently, cases related to OFWs such as illegal termination, unpaid wages, and various contract disputes are primarily handled by the NLRC.

“Although the NLRC is a well-established and vital organization, its responsibility extends to both local and overseas workers, resulting in a substantial increase in caseloads. Reports indicate that this large volume of cases has caused considerable delays, adversely affecting OFWs in their pursuit of justice,” he added.

Under the bill, the MWRC would function as a quasi-judicial body under the Department of Migrant Workers and have exclusive jurisdiction over all cases involving Filipino migrant workers to expedite dispute resolution.