OFWs in distress may seek PHL labor commission's help

Published February 7, 2012 1:00pm

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who encounter problems while working abroad may seek the help of the Philippine government's National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC), a labor official said. In a report of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) on Monday, Virgilio Bautista, Labor Arbitration Associate in Aklan, said: “OFWs might even be assisted by the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) if they are qualified for free services, especially if their problem while at work abroad involved cuts in their salaries.”

The NLRC, an attached agency of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), is a quasi-judicial body tasked to promote industrial peace by resolving labor and management disputes involving both local and overseas workers.

By filing their cases with the local NLRC in their areas, Bautista said OFWs can save on expenses because they do not have to go to Manila just to file their cases.

Citing an example, Bautista said complaints may be filed against recruitment agencies if OFWs received salaries lower than what was stated in their contracts.

He urged OFWs from Aklan who encountered such problems and other related ones while working abroad not to hesitate in seeking the help of the NLRC.

For contact information about the regional offices of the NLRC, please visit the NLRC website. - VVP, GMA News

Tags: ofws, overseasfilipinoworkers