Senator Raffy Tulfo has urged the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and other relevant agencies to establish a tight screening process on foreign employers to avoid abuse and maltreatment of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

During the organizational meeting of the Senate committee on migrant workers which Tulfo chairs, he said that OFWs are more prone to abuse because foreign employers are not being screened properly.

Tulfo pointed out that OFW applicants pass through strict regulations and submit many requirements and clearances.

Foreign employers, however, are not required to show police or court records that would probably define his or her character, he said.

“Sana magkaroon na po tayo ng proper screening process (I hope that we would have proper screeding process). Dapat kung ganoon tayo kahigpit sa ating OFWs when it comes to requirements, dapat ay ganoon din tayo kahigpit sa mga foreign employers to make sure na safe ang OFWs natin abroad (We should also be strict on foreign employers to make sure our OFWs are safe),’’ he added.

Tulfo directed his suggestion to DMW Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople, who was present during the committee meeting held Wednesday, August 31, as among the resource persons.

Due to the lack of proper screening process, Tulfo, who has been the refuge of OFWs in distress for the past 20 years, shared that some OFWs died at the hands of their abusive employers.

Ople acknowledged problems and the gaps in the system, saying that Tulfo’s chairmanship of the committee on migrant workers could help with their system reform agenda.

Tulfo reiterated the need to establish an effective monitoring system by the Migrant Workers Office in different countries, citing the rampant illegal practice of “selling” migrant workers who are working without being paid.

“Once the OFW has been deployed abroad, dapat mayroon ng monitoring system in place at tinitignan ang mga nangyayari sa kanila sa ibang bansa on a regular basis (there should be a monitoring system in place to check on their conditions in foreign countries on a regular basis). Dapat i-monitor din ang bahay na pupuntahan nila (The houses where they would be employed should be monitored),” he said.

“It is the committee’s duty to recommend and initiate the execution of bilateral agreements with other countries where OFWs are deployed and where such agreements are still lacking, and to review previous or existing agreements which may no longer be compliant with pertinent international labor standards,’’ Tulfo stressed.