Monday, 1o Junb'hgtg'
Daily Tribune
GMA: Protect OFW ln Russia
Arroyo was one of the irvited speakers in
the said economic forum
ly Hananeel Bordey
tr'ormer President and Speaker Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo highlighted the need
for a labor agreement between the
Philippine and Russian governments
to ensure the protection of Filipinos
working in the said country.
Aroyo issued the statement dudng
her speech at St. Pete$burg Intemati0nal
Economic Forum (SPIEtr) held in Moscow
from 6 to 8 June, during which she noted
that there were 10,000 undocumented
Filipino workers in Russia.
An0yo was one ofthe irwited speakers
in the said economic forum.
SPIDF was one of ihe global platforms
for membe$ ofthe business community
to meel, and discuss the key economic
issues facing Russia, emerging markets,
and the world as a whole.
It was also attended bY Chinese
President Xi Jinping
The lawmaker said that these OFw
are prone to abuse' exploitation, anest
and detention in the said country
"Ihe vast mqiority of Filipino workers
in Russia are household workers and
nannies but except for around 200, all
of them - from 5,000 to 10,000 - are
undocumented," she said.
"They pay as much as $3,800 for
improper or manufaciured visas,' Arroyo
added.
'They are always on the
radax of the police, under
constant threat of arrest
and deportation,' she
continued.
Crimes against
them go urueported
llelping our OFW Former President and Speaker Gloria for fear of
Macapagal-Arroyo is urging Philippine and Russian governments lo deportation. They
craft an agreement thatwill protect overseas Filipino'workers in Russia. falt victim to illegal
o pr{C<i " €,,
recruiters and humar tra.ffickers,' the
I
former President added.
To solve the Foblem, Anoyo suggested
that a labor agreemenl, between Russia
and Philippines must be crafted and
make it mutually beneficial for both
states.
'I understand we have vast experience
in this area and have found that the
interests of both sending and receiving
states are serued by the agreement,' she
poinred out.
uI understand we have had several
discussions on this, and that in May last
year the Philippines formally submitted a
draf,t labor ageement to Russia,'Arroyo
explained.
She added that the labor agreement
will include allowing Filipinos to stay
and work in Russia to make meaningful
contributions to the families in the
country bring people closer, and greater
foster understanding between the two
countries.