27/07/2020
CHR asks gov’t to protect inadequately paid repatriated OFWs amid pandemic | Inquirer News
CHR mentioned three ways for the government to help OFWs affected by
a compensation fund, reforming existing justice systems to help workers
Monday,
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cope with legal expenses, and the creation of opportunities for the
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The compensation fund, the commission said, would be paid in advance by
the government and sourced from employers and businesses allegedly
involved in the wage-theft scheme.
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“Funds must be set up at the national level, and contributions to them could
be ensured by the government, private contributions, business, and
philanthropic foundations,” CHR said.
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“Funds advanced by the government could be later recouped from
employers and businesses who were involved in wage-theft. This approach
would ensure that migrant workers are paid their dues without delay and
that their cases are resolved swiftly,” they added.
At the start of July, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said that 72,000
Filipino workers have been repatriated after the sectors they have been
working for abroad closed down due to the lockdowns in other countries
brought about by the health crisis.
Just before that, President Rodrigo Duterte’s report mentioned that around
48,000 OFWs would also be repatriated, warning that the repatriates could
reach over 100,000 in the coming months.
Also in early July, Bello admitted that the jobs of 400,000 OFWs were
affected by the COVID-19 crisis, while adding that around one million
workers may lose their jobs due to the pandemic.
CHR said that the government must act fast on the issue, as it is very
important for the OFWs and their families.
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“The need for more robust mechanisms to expedite payment of wages and
other entitlements owed must be recognized and addressed. This is a matter
of great importance to migrants, to the family members and communities
who depend on their remittances,” CHR said.
“For our part, CHR will continue to engage with government and civil
society in finding durable solutions and redress for human rights
grievances that beset OFWs and members of their families especially in this
time of the pandemic,” it added.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1310494/chr-asks-govt-to-protect-inadequately-paid-repatriated-ofws-amid-pandemic
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