Complaint form for distressed OFWs goes online

Non-government assistance for overseas Filipino workers (OFW) in distress is now just a click away. Migrante International launched on Tuesday an online complaint form, through which OFWs and their relatives can report cases of abuse by employers and even by officials of Philippine foreign posts, as well as other employment-related problems. “One of our core programs is to provide our OFWs venues for their redress. Now, it is just a click away and may be accessed by OFWs all over the world," said Gina Esguerra, Secretary General of Migrante International. Some of the complaints that OFWs and their relatives may report using the online complaint form include:

• rude, negligent, or corrupt embassy or government officials;
• exploitation or abuse by employer or recruitment agency;
• unfair charges (over-charging or double-charging) for overseas employment;
• illegal termination of employment contract;
• human or sex trafficking;
• government neglect for those on death row, in jail, stranded and other OFWs in distress.

“We hope that with this tool our OFWs would be more empowered to exercise their rights. Like what Agnes did, our OFWs should be encouraged to assert their claims and to stand up and complain whenever they feel slighted or neglected," Esguerra said Accomplished affidavit forms will be automatically forwarded to an email address that is regularly being checked by Migrante staff members, the group explained. “With this new online tool, testimonies of our OFWs, their families and even witnesses may be used as formal affidavits when required. After we check the complaints, we shall then evaluate what assistance is needed and address them accordingly," Esguerra said. The online complaint form was dubbed “Tanggol Migrante Online complaint form." The project was launched following mounting criticism against Philippine Labor Attaché to Hong Kong Romulo Salud, who supposedly refused to help Agnes Tenorio, an OFW in distress, and berated her instead. (See: Migrant groups slam HK labor exec for maltreating OFW) YouTube video gets 110,000 views The conversation between Salud and Tenorio was reportedly recorded by the latter, and subsequently uploaded on the video sharing site YouTube, where it has breached 110,000 views as of Wednesday. Comments on the recording meanwhile has reached over 600, majority of which are scathing remarks against Salud and his supposed “rude" treatment of Tenorio. United Filipinos in Hong Kong, an affiliate organization of Migrante, said the tremendous YouTube response shows the wide support for the demand to have Salud recalled and sanctioned. “More than 100,000 already viewed the YouTube clip and indignation was the overwhelming response of most viewers. In one afternoon alone, we gathered more than 4,000 signatures (for the signature campaign). The OFWs and the people have spoken: Recall Salud now," said UNIFIL secretary general Eman Villanueva in a statement. Salud has since apologized for his act, saying it was a “wake-up call" for him. "If that could hurt (Tenorio’s) feelings, I'm sorry. But it was not intended to do so," Salud earlier said.—JV, GMANews.TV