14 April 2014 - The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago formally entered into a working agreement with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) aimed at promoting Filipino workers’ rights in occupational safety and health and ensuring their access to information, training and complaints mechanism under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

Philippine Consul General in Chicago Leo M. Herrera-Lim and Deputy Administrator Bill Donovan signed an “Arrangement Establishing an Alliance between the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration Chicago and Dallas Regional Offices” at the Kalayaan Hall of the Consulate on April 8.

The agreement was pre-signed by Acting Regional Administrator Eric S. Harbin of the OSHA Dallas Office for the states of Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma. Combined with Illinois, Ohio and Wisconsin, which fall under OSHA Chicago Office, these six states hold almost two-thirds of the more than 300,000 Filipinos under the Consulate General’s jurisdiction.

Consul General Herrera-Lim thanked Mr. Donovan for OSHA’s efforts to increase the level of protection and awareness of workers’ rights. He also pointed out the expanding role of consular missions in response to the continuing challenges of assisting Filipino nationals abroad by enhancing cooperation with government institutions as well as community organizations.

Mr. Donovan reiterated the Department of Labor’s resolve in reaching out and promoting the health and safety of foreign workers in the country through its alliance program with Embassies and Consulates General.

Through this agreement, OSHA will develop and deliver education and training programs by participating in various activities, meetings and events of the Consulate General and Filipino community organizations.

To this end, the Consulate General is ready to coordinate with OSHA on any request from the community for a representative to speak and discuss relevant topics at their meetings, conferences or any gathering. END