DOLE backs creation of OFW department

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) supports the creation of a department for Filipino migrant workers, an official said Wednesday.

"Sinusuportahan po namin ang prinsipyo at ang spirit at intent ng measure na ito," Labor Undersecretary Joji Aragon said at the Laging Handa briefing.

She said overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) need to be provided services such as financial assistance, benefits, and protection under one structure.

A Department of OFWs, she said, "is really envisioned to make our services and programs more effective and more efficient."

The DOLE official said an OFW department will help not only workers but also students who wish to go on training abroad.

The House of Representatives approved a bill for this purpose last March. Its counterpart bill is pending at the Senate.

The House bill that was approved on third and final reading creates a Department of Filipinos Overseas and Foreign Employment.

The measure tasks this new department to formulate, plan, coordinate, promote, administer, implement policies, and undertake systematic national development programs for managing and monitoring the overseas or foreign employment of Filipino workers.

The bill also puts the P5-billion Assistance To Nationals Fund or the Legal Assistance Fund currently under the purview of the Department of Foreign Affairs to the OFW Department. — BM, GMA News