Background:

RA 8042 "Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995"

(b.1) Philippine Overseas Employment Administration - Subject to deregulation

and phase out as provided under Sections 29 and 30 herein, the Administration shall
regulate private sector participation in the recruitment and overseas placement of
workers by setting up a licensing and registration system. It shall also formulate
and implement, in coordination with appropriate entities concerned, when necessary
employment of Filipino workers taking into consideration their welfare and the
domestic manpower requirements.

>Under the new law, the POEA is required to develop, publish, disseminate, and
update a handbook which will contain the rights and responsibilities of OFWs.

>The handbook will be in English with translations in local languages. It will be

given to OFWs for free whether they are sea-based or land-based.

>The handbook is aimed at empowering and making OFWs aware of their rights and
responsibilities, and gives them basic information on the labor and living
conditions of the country of their destination.

>The POEA, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Foreign Affairs (DFA) are
mandated to promote the welfare and rights of Filipinos working abroad.

>The law mandates the DOLE to make sure that labor and social welfare laws in the
foreign countries are fairly applied to migrant workers and whenever applicable, to
other overseas Filipinos, including the grant of legal assistance and the referral
to proper medical centers or hospitals.

>The POEA, meanwhile, is to update the said handbook. The amount needed to
continuously publish, distribute, and update the handbook will be taken from the
appropriations of the POEA.

>On the other hand, the POEA will also implement an intensified program against
illegal recruitment activities, in cooperation with other law enforcement agencies.

>Other agencies mandated to implement the new law are the Overseas Workers Welfare
Administration (OWWA), Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), Commission
on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) and the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina).

<<<The Commission on Filipinos Overseas reports that more than 10 million

Filipinos work or reside abroad. The data represents those who decided to work in a
foreign land to earn more money in order to provide a better future for their
families. Consequently, it accounts for the segment of the population considered to
be the �anchor of the Philippines economy,� as these migrant workers send about $20
million in remittances every year.

With all these invaluable sacrifices and contributions, they deserve nothing
but the most comprehensive programs and policies that can protect their rights and
welfare. The government�s work, however, does not stop in merely crafting and
implementing laws for the migrant workers� advantage. It must also ensure that such
laws are functional and accessible to them.

Hence, this bill seeks to mandate the Philippine Overseas Employment

Administration (POEA) to publish, disseminate and update a handbook on the rights
and responsibilities of migrant workers. The Handbook aims to provide them with
pertinent information, which can help them address their problems and concerns. It
also seeks to serve as their reference when they need to assert their rights as
overseas employees.>>>
One of the main reasons for migration is employment. High salary and great benefits
attract Filipino workers to migrate. Other Filipinos also bring their families
along with them in their country of employment. There are also Filipino citizens
who are married to foreigners, causing their migration abroad.