Migrant workers' group seeks Binay aid on OFW concerns

MANILA, Philippines – A migrant workers' welfare group has called on Vice President Jejomar C. Binay, who is concurrently Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers Concerns to “dig deeper into the issues and concerns of OFWs.”

In a statement, Migrante International Chairperson Garry Martinez said his group conducted a dialogue with Binay recently and discussed with him various issues affecting OFWs, among them the 50 percent decrease in OFW funds in the 2011 national budget, erring and negligent officials, as well as other rights and welfare cases that need immediate action and attention from the government.

“We appreciate VP Binay’s initial efforts to consult with OFWs and we urge him to not only to address tactical concerns but also the chronic problems that perennially confront our OFWs and their families,” Martinez said.

Martinez said they presented to Binay a “five-point migrant agenda” which they have earlier also presented to President Benigno S. Aquino III at the start of his term.

“However, we have not heard President Aquino’s position nor seen any actions with regard to the issues we raised. Instead, after his inaugural speech and first SONA (State of the Nation Address) stating that OFWs are one of his administration’s topmost priorities, what we now have in store is the OFW budget cuts and numerous cases of government neglect,” he related.

Martinez said that presented the same five-point migrant agenda to Binay.

“We await his official position as Presidential Adviser on OFW concerns on the issues we raised.”

The five-point migrant agenda the group wants the government to address are as follows:

•Stop forced migration by generating jobs at home;
•Investigate, prosecute and punish corrupt and negligent government officials;
•Protect OFWs from unfair labor practices, discrimination, stringent immigration policies and other occupational hazards;
•Provide assistance for OFWs in distress;
•Scrap anti-migrant laws and push for genuine migrant representation in policy-making institutions in government."

Martinez said they are ready and open to coordinate and cooperate with Binay on OFW concerns.

“In turn, we are expecting his office to be more transparent and accessible to the sector and more open to criticisms and proposals from OFWs and families,” he said.