Press Release
May 23, 2013

Cayetano proposes establishment of
Department of OFWs in response to Taiwan-Phl row

"Over P10 million Filipinos work abroad, so it's high time that this sector gets a department of its own to ensure that the rights of all overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are safeguarded." Senator Alan Cayetano reiterated his recommendation during the recent campaign period in response to reports of alleged mistreatment of OFWs employed in Taiwan as a result of the ongoing tensions between Taiwan and the Philippines.

Cayetano explained that to help ease the burden of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in safeguarding OFWs, the government should come up with a single unified department focused solely on their needs.

"We need a Department of OFWs to help them with all the aspects of their welfare - from employment requirements to ensuring that their rights are not violated in their country of employment," he said.

Cayetano made this recommendation during his campaign as a result of his discussions with OFWs during his PTK (Presyo-Trabaho-Kita) Listening Tour.

"This department will focus on welfare, training, provision of active employment opportunity search for OFWs. The idea is to have a full time agency for OFWs and foreign employment," he said.

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