MANILA – The House Committee on Government Reorganization is conducting consultations with overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) abroad to refine a measure seeking to create the Migrant Workers Relations Commission (MWRC), its chairperson said on Tuesday.
Committee chair and Bukidnon Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores on Tuesday said the legislative delegation recently traveled to the Hague, Netherlands, to meet with migrant organizations, Philippine Overseas Labor Officers (POLO), and embassy officials.
Flores said the goal is to ensure that there are accessible and efficient mechanisms in place to assist OFWs regarding their concerns about their working conditions or employers.
“I am of the opinion that many of the problems undocumented OFWs face abroad can be addressed when they change their status from undocumented to documented when they reach any foreign country. That change of status gives them access to the services of the POLO and Philippine embassies and consulates,” he said.
Flores underscored the importance of maintaining open lines of communication between workers, POLO officials, and labor arbiters.
The delegation is led by Tingog Partylist Rep. Jude Acidre, who chairs the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs. Other members include General Santos City Rep. Loreto Acharon, Kabayan Partylist Rep. Ron Salo, and Coop- Natcco Partylist Rep. Felimon Espares.
Flores said his panel will continue its overseas consultations in the coming weeks as it fine-tunes the bill aimed at improving labor protections for the millions of Filipinos working abroad.
“We will travel to more countries where there are many OFWs so we can, through face-to-face meetings, hear their concerns and suggestions,” he said.
The MWRC, as envisioned under House Bill 8805, will serve as the overseas counterpart to the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) under the Department of Labor and Employment.
Flores said the proposed commission will focus on handling labor disputes involving OFWs and will operate as a quasi-judicial body with decisions appealable to the Court of Appeals.
The commission will also be attached to the Department of Migrant Workers.
The House Committee on Government Reorganization is responsible for evaluating the structure and functions of proposed agencies like the MWRC to ensure their effectiveness and alignment with existing frameworks. (PNA)