DOLE issues new rules to prevent repeat of sexual abuse in PHL posts

To prevent or at least minimize the chances of sexual abuse against distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), distressed workers will not be allowed to engage in work while under the custody of Philippine posts.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said this is included in Administrative Order 262, which also bars the OFWs from working in the households of embassy and Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) officers and staff.

"Under DOLE AO 262, distressed workers shall be prohibited from engaging in any work or employment, whether full time or part time, while under the custody of Bahay Kalinga. Likewise, they shall not be allowed to work in the households of Embassy and POLO officers and staff. In the same manner, no war(d) shall be allowed or permitted to perform volunteer work in the offices of the Embassy, the POLO, and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration," the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said in a news release.

The DOLE AO also allows only the designated female Center Supervisor to reside at the center. "Any member of her family is excluded," it said.

“POLOs and Bahay Kalinga should reflect the ideal standards of how workers should be treated, served, and cared for. These places are the closest each OFW has for a home and therefore, should feel like a home for them while at the same time, continue to observe the highest form of professionalism,” Baldoz said.

Weekly dialogues

Baldoz also instructed the head of the POLO to conduct weekly dialogues with the Bahay Kalinga wards to update their cases and address their other concerns.

"Highlights of the meeting shall be reported to the Secretary as well as any complaint against POLO staff (organic and local hire). If warranted, the Head of the POLO shall place a local hire on preventive suspension," the DOLE said.

Also, the POLO head shall approve all requests for repatriation tickets to employers, foreign and Philippine recruitment agencies, the Philippine Overseas Employment Adminstration (POEA), the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and other sources.

Meanwhile, the labor attache shall officially designate an organic staff as head of the repatriation team, who shall accompany all wards for repatriation to the airport.

Final case settlement

The final settlement of cases shall be done at the POLO to be duly attested by the head of the POLO.

Status reports of cases handled by designated POLO and OWWA local hires or those assigned as case officers during the day shall be submitted to him or her.

“Contact numbers of the International Labor Affairs Bureau [ILAB], OWWA, POEA, POLO and the Embassy should be conspicuously posted at the (Bahay Kalinga), as well as in the POLO website as part of the feedback mechanism for OFW’s complaints, suggestions and other concerns,” Baldoz added.

"Sex-for-flight" scandal

The Department of Justice on Tuesday cited three more alleged "sex-for-flight" cases of female overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), including one who was reported to have committed suicide but was allegedly raped by an embassy staff in Dubai.
 
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello revealed this to her in a closed door meeting on Monday.

These three new cases are on top of the three cases being investigated by the departments of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Bello in June claimed that three victims of sexual molestation in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Syria have come to him for help.

He alleged that the perpetrators of these acts are key officials posted in Filipino resource centers.

Quoting Bello, De Lima said that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is already investigating the sexual exploitation of victims whom she declined to name.
Assistant labor attache to Saudi Arabia Antonio Villafuerte, one of those tagged in the alleged sexual exploitation of OFWs, earlier said he was willing to participate in the investigation on the issue.

In a report of radio dzBB's Rodil Vega last week, DOLE spokesman Nicon Fameronag said the DOLE will have Villafuerte air his side before deciding whether or not to present him to the media.

Baldoz earlier said Villafuerte has been assured of due process.

Villafuerte had been linked by at least three OFWs to the alleged sexploitation mess. He has denied the allegations.

At least three alleged victims of the "sex-for-flight" scandal have released their sworn statements on the supposed sexual exploitation that occurred in Manila’s Middle East diplomatic posts.

Two of the victims have accused Villafuerte of sexually molesting them.

Last week, Villafuerte granted an interview to Saudi-based news site Arab News where he said he is ready to face the charges against him.

"I have rendered my duties in a proper manner and believe that there are some people who are willing to come forward to bring out the truth,” he said, adding that he was concerned about the effect of the accusations on his family.  - VVP, GMA News