Jordan must sign pact to prevent abuses on OFWs

MANILA, Philippines - After the deployment ban in Jordan was partially lifted, a migrants’ group urged the Philippine government to ensure that Jordanian employers are held accountable for any abuses they commit against Filipino household workers. 

Labor Secretary Marianito Roque lifted an eight-month ban on sending workers to Jordan on Thursday after setting a minimum wage of US$400 in hopes of eliminating abuse and exploitation.

Household Service Workers (HSW) who are returning to work with the same employer in Jordan will be exempted from the previous ban.

"Concluding a labor rights' agreement between the Philippines and Jordan is a step forward advancing overseas Filipino workers’ (OFWs') rights and welfare," said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante Middle East (Migrante-ME) regional coordinator.

Migrante-ME raised concern that without a labor rights’ pact, Jordanian employers might get away with their abuses on Filipino domestic workers.

"This labor rights pact should make foreign employers accountable to their hired HSWs as we’ve made the Arroyo administration accountable to all OFWs sent abroad due to intensification of its labor export policy," he added.

The ban in January was triggered by complaints of nonpayment of wages, mistreatment and rape that prompted hundreds of Filipinos, mostly maids, to flee their employers and seek refuge at a Philippine-run center in the Jordanian capital of Amman. 

Jordan's Labor Ministry said in January said about 16,000 Filipinos work in Jordan.

The government had earlier set the same minimum wage for maids in the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf countries, but it caused a drop in demand for Filipino household help.

"Our concern is how the (labor department) would ensure that the employer will respect and honor the provisions of the employment contract it agreed with hired Filipino HSWs," Monterona asked.

REACTION

OFW’s have been sacrificing a lot in order to sustain their most precious and beloved family. They leave their homes and work in far places just to make sure their children have milk to drink and food to eat. Then, they find out that they will only experience abuses, rapes, and maltreatment of their employers. Some may also not be paid of their services which devastates them and cause them to be financially, emotionally and mentally disoriented.

This big leap in enhancing the rights and welfare of the OFW’s is very much appreciated. Now, OFW’s and their families will feel more secure about their safety and finances. This will result to more Filipinos to apply a job abroad now that laws are more effective than before. They will work harder to ensure their families are well and kicking.

The welfare of OFW’s should always be monitored for they help building a stable economy for our country. The dollar they earn sent to families is a great contribution to our countries dollar reserve. This means their rights should be prioritized for they are a great asset to us. Nothing is more touching than seeing a parent hug his/her child after many years of working abroad and then saying, “I love you nak!”