OFW Party List Representative Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino delivered a privilege speech today on the challenges and aspirations of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Hawaii, United States and in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
In her privilege speech, Magsino raised concerns about the challenges faced by Filipino fishermen in Hawaii, who work without U.S. employment visas under a “special arrangement.”
The Philippine consulate in Hawaii estimates that out of a total 750 fishermen involved in the arrangement, roughly 65% are Filipinos. A lot of them have been employed in the industry for many years already. While acknowledging the generally favorable working conditions, Magsino emphasized the limitations on their freedom of movement and the lack of security of tenure due to the absence of employment visas.
“The Migrant Workers Office (MWO) of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) in Los Angeles and the Philippine Consulate do conduct regular missions and year-end gatherings with our OFW-fishermen to extend medical services, provide them with food, clothing and other supplies, and to check on their general conditions,” she said.
“Maituturing naman natin na maayos ang kanilang kalagayan sa mga aspeto ng kanilang pagtratrabaho sa Hawaii bilang mga mangingisda subalit mahirap ang kanilang sitwasyon na hindi nakakalabas o nakakapasyal man lamang sa labas ng port of Honolulu at higit sa lahat, na wala silang akmang seguridad sa trabaho at proteksyon sa mga karapatan bilang mga OFWs. Kaya naman madiin kong iminumungkahi sa DFA at DMW na pagtuunan ng pansin kung maaaring mabigyan ng employment visas and ating mga mangingisdang OFWs sa Hawaii sa pamamagitan ng labor agreement sa ng Pilipinas at ng United States,” Magsino said.
Magsino’s privilege speech also discussed the situation of OFWs in Dubai, where an estimated 500,000 OFWs are reported to be holding tourist visas. They arrive in Dubai via a third country as tourists but with intention to look for work, or lured by agencies with promises of employment. She highlighted the vulnerability of OFWs engaged in this circuitous and precarious scheme, making them susceptible to trafficking, illegal recruitment, and the risk of getting stranded.
Additionally, Magsino discussed the challenges faced by children born out of wedlock among OFWs in the UAE who are often hidden even until school-age years. She emphasized the need for comprehensive programs to address their educational and legal needs.
Magsino has been on a mission to personally visit our OFWs in their host countries to personally listen to their sentiments and suggestions and see their conditions firsthand, thereby bridging the gaps between policies and its actual implementation. Apart from Hawaii and Dubai, she has visited OFWs in Hong Kong, Malaysia, South Korea, and Indonesia and helped address the common challenges they encounter in said host countries.
“Ang OFW Party List ay hindi mapapagod sa paglalakbay sa iba’t-ibang lupain kung nasaan nagsusumikap at nangangarap ang ating mga OFWs upang tuklasin, alamin at suriin ang mga suliraning nagpapahirap sa kanila at nagbabantang wakasan ang kanilang magagandang pangarap. Tayo rin ay patuloy na makikipagtulungan sa mga kinauukulang ahensya ng ating pamahalaan upang tuparin at tumalima sa mandatong kalingain, ayudahan, bantayan at proteksyunan ang mga karapatan at kapakanan ng ating mga OFWs at kanilang mga pamilya,” said Magsino.
