Photo credit: Senate PH

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano made a strong case on Monday for a significant upgrade in the management and support systems for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

During the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers' meeting on August 12, he highlighted urgent issues affecting OFWs, including the tragic death of Jelyn del Coro Aguson in Saudi Arabia and the effectiveness of the OFW Welfare Monitoring System (OWMS), which is designed to tackle illegal recruitment and scams.

Cayetano, a former Foreign Affairs Secretary, has long championed stronger protections for Filipino workers abroad. He noted that desperate economic situations often lead to vulnerable workers falling prey to exploitative recruiters and employers. "When people are in a tight spot or facing economic challenges, they're more likely to be deceived by unscrupulous recruiters or abused in countries with poor migrant worker protections," he pointed out.

In previous discussions, Cayetano has advocated for better hiring, employment, and deployment processes to combat these issues. He recently underscored that scamming is increasingly becoming a "worldwide trend," urging the government to adopt proactive measures and anticipate scammers' tactics.

Monday's hearing echoed Cayetano's call for reform, with several proposals put forward to enhance monitoring, communication, and support for the OFW community, especially in the Middle East. Recommendations included shared responsibility for recruitment agencies, rigorous foreign employer screening, comprehensive pre-engagement seminars, and better welfare support and reporting.

As the principal author of the law that established the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Cayetano emphasized that these reforms should reflect the government's dedication to improving OFW support and protection. "Our OFWs are our modern-day heroes. They make immense sacrifices for their families and our economy. We must ensure they receive the respect and care they deserve," he asserted.