THE Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) said it has entered into a partnership with the International Labor Organization (ILO) to create post-arrival briefing system for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), starting with those deployed to Hong Kong.
On Wednesday, DoLE and ILO signed the agreement to create the briefings on local work conditions, known as the Post-Arrival Orientation Seminar (PAOS). The two sides will collaborate to “design, pilot, conduct consultations, and finalize a Hong Kong-specific PAOS learning system” which DoLE hopes added will “soon be replicated by other Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs).”
The agreement was signed by Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III and ILO Country Office for the Philippines Director Khalid Hassan.
Mr. Bello said in a statement that the agreement is vital to educate OFWs on the work environment of their host countries.
“It is important for our OFWs to be oriented about the profile of their working environment, including the host country’s culture and laws relevant to their labor migration. They must be informed on their rights and responsibilities as migrant workers to fully secure their welfare as well as enjoy the benefits of working overseas for the sake of their families back home,” he said.
Section 224 of the Revised POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration) Rules and Regulations Governing the Recruitment and Employment of Land-Based Overseas Filipino Workers gives POLOs the responsibility for conducting the PAOS briefing.
According to DoLE Administrative Order No. 532, Series of 2018, the PAOS must be attended by OFWs within a month of their arrival in the host country. — Gillian M. Cortez
