POLO-Bahrain Holds Workers’ Rights Forum
Consul-General Maria Paz Cortes, in her inspirational message, stresses that the Philippine Embassy in Manama is always ready to assist Overseas Filipino Workers especially in times of dire need. (Manama PE photo)
MANAMA 15 January 2019 — In celebration of the 85th anniversary of Department of Labor and Employment and Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) Family Day, the Philippine Embassy and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Manama hosted a forum on workers’ rights entitled “Usapang Karapatan sa Paggawa Para sa Mga Manggagawang Pilipino sa Bahrain” on 07 December 2018 at the Embassy grounds.
In his welcome remarks, Labor Attaché Vicente M. Cabe stressed to the 113 attendees, comprising both skilled and household service workers, the numerous initiatives of the Philippine government to ensure the utmost protection and well-being of OFWs.
Labor Attache Cabe added that the objectives of the forum are to widely disseminate the various services and programs of the government agencies intended for OFWs and their families, and to heighten awareness of their rights and obligations as workers in Bahrain and the legal remedies and helplines available for labor-related issues and concerns. With this information, their capacities are strengthened, thereby lessening their vulnerabilities to abuse and exploitation.
In her inspiration message, Consul-General and Chargé d’ Affaires Maria Paz Cortes shared that the Philippine government is aiming to be part of the Global Compact of Nations, which draws international cooperation in combatting illegal recruitment and human trafficking.
Also in the said event, POLO’s Arlene Marasigan exhaustively discussed the rights of migrant workers in Bahrain that include the minimum labor standards covering wages, leaves, medical, personal life and repatriation insurances, work hours, and overtime pay, among others, while Welfare Officer Redina C. Manlapaz shared the numerous types of labor-related complaints that are often reported to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration such as non-payment of salary, contract substitution and illegal dismissal, and the legal remedies available to workers when faced with any of these types of cases.
In discussing OWWA’s programs, Welfare Officer Manlapaz zeroed in on welfare management and reintegration program packages, which prepares OFWs and their families for their eventual return and reintegration back to their families and communities through trainings on Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship Development and Management.
On the various government programs and services for OFWs, Administrative Staff Lorna Bacolong shared POLO Bahrain’s frontline services and programs that include the verification of recruitment documents, job orders and employment contracts to ensure proper documentation and compliance to rules and labor standards prescribed by Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, and assistance to vacationing OFWs in securing the Balik-Manggagawa- Overseas Employment Certificate online.
She also related POLO-Bahrain’s support to the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Resource Center which, aside from accommodating distressed OFWs who are awaiting resolution of their cases and eventual repatriation, is a hub of various resources that all OFWs can choose to access.
Consul General Cortez and the Embassy’s Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) Team, elaborated on the ATN, the consular services and Flexi-Visa Program of the Embassy.
On consular concerns, Filipinos in Bahrain are assisted in securing and renewing their Philippine passports and the registration of births, deaths and marriages of Filipinos.
ATN services cover repatriation of Filipinos—illegal/overstaying, detainees after serving sentence, medical evacuation and shipment of remains, police concerns—assistance in filing complaints, rescue and transfer of custody, and legal assistance—claims for benefits, jail and hospital visits, legal assistance in case prosecution, tracking the whereabouts of missing nationals, and maintaining a 24/7 hotline to respond to inquiries and distress calls.
Meanwhile, Social Security System’s Edre G. Bayno focused his presentation on the importance of being a member of SSS and making continuous contributions to the agency, as workers get to enjoy short-term benefits related to disability, sickness and maternity and long-term benefits related to retirement and death. Pug-IBIG Fund’s Alistair P.S.A. Sicat introduced participants to the importance of saving and investing in Pag-IBIG where money put in yields high return, is tax-free, and is used as guarantee in accessing calamity and housing loans with the agency.
An open forum was facilitated by Labor Attaché Cabe and responded to questions by the participants.
In wrapping up the forum, Labor Attaché Cabe thanked the foreign placement agencies who are pivotal partners in mobilizing participants to POLO-organized fora and in ensuring the protection and well-being of OFWs in Bahrain. He urged the participants to educate themselves of their rights and obligations, and to not hesitate to seek the assistance of the Embassy at the first sign of trouble. END
For more information, visit www.manamape.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinBahrain
Administrative Staff Arlene V. Marasigan discusses the basic labor rights of both skilled workers and household service workers. (Manama PE photo)
Administrative Staff Lorna Bacolong leads the discussion of the various frontline services and programs of Philippine Overseas Labor Office-Bahrain. (Manama PE photo)
Welfare Officer Redina C. Manlapaz, in sharing the programs and services of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, zeroes in on the Welfare assistance, Reintegration programs and E-Card of the agency. (Manama PE photo)