Manila-led pact boosts OFW protection

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Sunday adopted a Philippine-led declaration aimed at protecting migrant workers, curbing recruitment abuses and strengthening cooperation among member states.

The ASEAN Declaration on Fair, Ethical and Sustainable Recruitment for Empowered Migrant Workers was spearheaded by the Philippines through the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and adopted during the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits.

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the declaration would strengthen safeguards for some 600,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) across ASEAN, particularly against illegal recruitment, excessive fees and other labor migration abuses.

Developed through consultations with member states and regional stakeholders, the framework promotes transparency and accountability in recruitment, prohibits unreasonable placement fees, strengthens regulation of recruitment and manning agencies, and ensures nondiscrimination.

It also calls for better access to justice, effective complaint mechanisms and closer coordination between labor authorities in countries of origin and destination.

Cacdac said the DMW would work with the Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippine embassies, consulates and labor attachés to translate the regional commitments into concrete assistance for Filipino workers.

He highlighted the declaration’s significance for women, who account for a majority of Filipino migrant workers in Southeast Asia, particularly those employed in domestic service and other vulnerable occupations.

The framework also seeks stronger regional action against illegal recruitment and human trafficking linked to scam hubs operating in Southeast Asia, including Myanmar.

Cacdac said cooperation would cover rescue operations, repatriation, legal assistance and welfare services for Filipinos recruited into or caught up in illegal operations.

The DMW is monitoring around 90 to 100 Filipinos in Myanmar, far below the previously reported figure of 1,500, he said.

He also cautioned Filipinos against accepting overseas job offers based solely on visa-free entry, stressing that such arrangements do not authorize employment.

Meanwhile, Cacdac confirmed that all 17 Filipino seafarers aboard the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker Atlantic Asphalt were safe following its collision with an American passenger riverboat on the Mississippi River near New Orleans.

The DMW is coordinating with Philippine diplomatic posts and the vessel’s manning agency to arrange their repatriation.

Other regional issues remain unresolved, including Myanmar’s continued exclusion from high-level ASEAN meetings following the 2021 military coup and negotiations with China on a proposed South China Sea Code of Conduct.

Philippine Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro said about 80 percent of the draft maritime agreement had been completed.