The Geneva-based International Labor Organization (ILO) has approved a proposed amendment of Senator Raffy Tulfo to include migrant workers’ right to have “access to relevant labour protection information” in the Draft Conclusions of the Committee on Labour Protection in the International Labor Organization (ILO).
Sen. Rafael “Raffy” Tulfo attending the ILO Convention in Geneva, Switzerland. (Photo by O/S Sen. Raffy Tulfo)

Tulfo’s amendment, which he said is essential to achieve universal and effective labor protection for all workers and which is in line with ILO's advocacy in this 111th Conference, got the support of Japan. He defended his amendment before representatives of different countries. Tulfo said that his proposed amendment is rooted from his personal experience in his program "Wanted sa Radyo" wherein the relatives of seafarers who asked for help regarding their missing relatives complained that shipowners and authorities of the country investigating the case would not share vital information to them. With Japan concurring to his proposed amendment and the workers and employers group giving it a thumbs up, the proposed amendment was immediately passed. Likewise, Tulfo opposed the proposed amendment by an employer’s group to remove limits on employee’s working hours during the hearing. Tulfo, chairman of the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers and vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Labor, did not accept said group’s move to soften the policy on working hours and overtime by merely regulating it instead of providing clear limits and standards. In expressing his opposition, Tulfo cited the plight of overworked security guards in the Philippines who are often forced to be on duty for up to 20 hours straight without day off. As a result of this, Tulfo explained that a security guard does not have a healthy work-life balance. Being pressured into accepting excessively lengthy working hours forces them to compromise their time for family and time for their own personal care, he added. Additionally, Tulfo said that they are already facing health and safety issues  which are affecting the quality of their work. That’s why Tulfo maintained that there should be limitations in the working hours of employees working locally and abroad. Notably, the leader of the labor group agreed to Tulfo’s points, which prompted the employer’s group to withdraw and not push through with their amendment.