CEBU CITY, Cebu — Presidential candidate and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Saturday, April 9, said he wants the Philippines to enter into a bilateral labor agreement with other countries to protect the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) if elected as president.
“We must signed a bilateral labor agreement, especially sa (in) Saudi, to protect our OFW and we must sign any other agreement also for undocumented Filipino abroad workers to have the same benefits at the very least,” said in a chance interview here.
On Friday, April 9, the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai confirmed that a Filipino woman was recently found dead in a suitcase left under a bridge in Dubai.
“It seems that we are in the right direction na, it’s high time for us to enter into any bilateral labor agreement to countries, those countries, na wala tayong agreement. I think Saudi, for that matter, we’ve been sending them,” he said.
“Wala namang masamang hingin ‘yung marapat lamang (There is nothing wrong with asking for what is right),” he added.
Domagoso maintained it is just right for the other countries to give Filipinos protection in the eyes of the law and other services since they are working for them.
“What protection can we give sa kanila (to them)? They have no other place to run),” he stressed.
Domagoso also said he would appoint individuals who have knowledge in the labor sector such as in Philippine Overseas Labor Office and embassies.
“Ayaw ko na maulit sa isang sitwasyon, na ‘yung isang helper sa Hong Kong na nung nagka covid, tinapon siya ng kanyang amo sa kalsada (I don't want to repeat a situation where a helper in Hong Kong who contracted Covid, his boss threw him on the road) Sad but it happened,” he added.
Under his watch, Domagoso assured that he will provide equal opportunities to both documented and undocumented OFWs staying in other countries.
“We’ll make sure that there will be an equal opportunity, equal protection of law, universally acceptable, para sa ating mga (for our) OFW at undocumented OFW,” he said.
“‘Yun ang gagawin ko (That’s what I’ll do). I will enter into bilateral labor agreement.” Domagoso said he would support the proposed Department of Overseas Filipino Workers.