By Leslie Ann Aquino Labor groups are calling for a high-level overseas Filipino workers (OFW) labor summit amid the threat of war in the Middle East. Atty. Sonny Matula, chairperson of Nagkaisa Labor Coalition
(Facebook / MANILA BULLETIN) In a statement, Federation of Free Workers President and Nagkaisa Chairperson Attorney Sonny Matula said there should be such a summit to address the widespread concerns for evacuation, displacement, redeployment, and the crisis' impact on the economy. He said trade unions, employers' groups, airline companies, OFW associations and NGOs, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO), and the Social Security System (SSS) and other social protection agencies should be invited to the said summit and work overtime to "provide the needed services for the OFWs who might be displaced—including psycho-social counseling, local and international placement, skills training, and entrepreneurship training, among others." Through the said summit, Matula said the government can have meaningful consultations and social dialogue with tripartite partners in preparation for OFW displacement, possible draining of foreign remittances, lack of jobs, high oil prices, and a full-blown war. "This summit will also serve as a forum for wider participation to discuss sustainability. Repatriated OFWs should have appropriate education and training on livelihood programs and the accompanying accountability related to the assistance extended to them," he said. “This will help ensure they enjoy the long-term benefits from the assistance they will get from government and other sources.” He said a monitoring scheme can also be added to the summit’s agenda. The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, FFW, and Nagkaisa also suggested to the government the convening of the high level summit in a hearing of the OFW committee of the House of Representatives on Tuesday. FFW expressed hope for the labor department to convene the summit as soon as possible.