Govt panel to settle issue on mandatory psych tests for OFWs

MANILA, Philippines - A government committee is expected to settle the issues surrounding proposals to require psychiatric or psychological tests for Filipino domestic workers after its panel meets on Wednesday. According to Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Administrator Jennifer Manalili, a committee involving her agency, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Department of Health (DOH) will discuss all the matters involving the examinations. She told GMANews.TV on Friday that the panel was formed to determine the “feasibility and propriety" of instituting the psychological/psychiatric exams. Manalili said that the DFA is specifically looking into the “necessity" of the mandatory testing, which is also being supported by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and placement agencies. The DFA said that since 2002, they have received recommendations from Philippine missions in the Middle East to require incoming Filipino household service workers to undergo psychological tests. DFA spokesperson Claro Cristobal recently told GMANews.TV that the proposed mandatory psychological test is only aimed at protecting the welfare of OFWs abroad. “The psychological test is aimed at checking whether or not the coping mechanism of Filipino workers is well," he said. According to the DFA official, even embassy officials undergo a mandatory psychological test before being deployed. “It is needed simply because it is very stressful to work overseas," he added. Manalili said they are aware of the great opposition being directed at the proposed tests by different sectors and migrant groups. “It would be an added cost to our workers so pinag-aaralan din namin ang cost aspect ng pag-iinsitute ng (we’re studying the cost aspect of instituting the) psychiatric test," she said. Manalili also said that they already have a psychological test component in their basic pre-employment procedures. She added that they are thinking of “strengthening" how it is conducted. She said that the POEA governing board has already met and has had initial consultations with the National Center for Mental Health because it is the government agency that would be conducting the tests. The POEA governing board is chaired by the Department of Labor and Employment secretary with the POEA administrator as vice chairperson and representatives from the sea-based, land-based and women sectors as members.- GMANews.TV