Press Release
October 7, 2008

Jinggoy urges gov't to maximize new job opportunities in Australia, ensure best terms and protection for OFWs

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada today called on the government to exhaust all means to maximize new opportunities presented by Australia for Filipino workers, as he also stressed the need for the Philippine government need to ensure the best terms and protection for the OFWs.

Estrada, concurrent chair of the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development, and of the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on Labor and Employment, noted reports that Australia needs some 30,000 skilled workers and "it is looking at the Philippines to supply the demand."

The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) said Filipinos engaged in the construction industry, health sector such as nurses, and service industry such as hotel employees and food service workers are among those who will be considered for employment.

"The Australian government has again presented great opportunities for our workers. We must be able to maximize these opportunities, as our government must also negotiate for the best pay and welfare package for OFWs, and ensure that all the necessary protection measures for them will be in place and operational," Estrada said.

On August last year, Estrada brought to the attention of Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Tony Hely the problems encountered by Filipino workers, such as the many incidents of exploitation by Australian employers through breaching of their work visas and contracts.

During their meeting, the senator discussed with Hely the experience of many OFWs where Australian employers swindled and forced them to perform non-skilled jobs they did not apply for, under very poor and dangerous working conditions and even with diminished pay, and what should be done about these problems.

"I have recommended to Ambassador Hely the sealing of a labor pact between Australia and the Philippines and the institutionalization of additional measures to protect Filipino workers through the Australian government's Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC)," Estrada said.

Estrada has likewise called for the establishment of a Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) each in Sydney or Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory, and in Perth or Darwin in the Northern Territory, and, the posting of a Philippine labor attaché in each of the two territories.

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