COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT, MIGRANT WORKERS (OFW)

The Committee on Labor and Employment, Migrant Workers (OFW) is dedicated to advocating for the rights and welfare of workers, both locally and abroad, ensuring fair labor practices, and promoting policies that protect and empower the workforce. Its primary responsibility is to address the challenges faced by workers, enhance employment opportunities, and ensure that the rights of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are upheld and respected in all aspects of employment, both within the Philippines and abroad.

The Committee works to ensure that labor laws are effectively implemented and enforced, advocating for the protection of workers' rights, including fair wages, safe working conditions, and access to benefits. It also promotes policies that foster job creation, skills development, and equal opportunities for all workers, striving to reduce unemployment and underemployment in the country. The Committee actively engages with labor organizations, employers, and government agencies to ensure that policies benefit workers while supporting sustainable economic growth.

For Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), the Committee plays a crucial role in ensuring that their rights are protected in foreign countries. It works to address issues such as unfair treatment, exploitation, and unsafe working conditions that OFWs may face while working abroad. The Committee advocates for stronger legal frameworks, bilateral agreements, and international cooperation to safeguard the welfare of Filipino workers overseas. It also focuses on providing support systems for OFWs, such as legal assistance, health care, and financial literacy programs, to ensure they are equipped with the tools to thrive both abroad and upon their return to the Philippines.

In addition to protecting OFWs, the Committee is committed to enhancing the reintegration process for migrant workers returning home. It promotes programs that help OFWs reintegrate into the local workforce or start their own businesses, ensuring they are supported in building new livelihoods and contributing to the country’s economy.

The Committee also promotes fair treatment and non-discrimination in the workplace, ensuring that labor standards are inclusive of all workers, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or other factors. It advocates for policies that promote gender equality in the workplace and supports initiatives that create safe and inclusive working environments for everyone.

Through its efforts, the Committee on Labor and Employment, Migrant Workers (OFW) strives to build a fairer, more just labor environment where Filipino workers are empowered, protected, and able to contribute meaningfully to society, whether at home or abroad.