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| Senator Raffy Tulfo says OFWs will be served better by a separate court for their labor cases (File) |
Senator Raffy Tulfo who heads the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers has proposed the establishment of a Migrant Workers Relations Commission (MWRC) that will handle all labour disputes involving overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
Tulfo recently filed Senate Bill No 1489 or the proposed Migrant Workers Relations Commission Act, which seeks to address the protracted process of resolving labor disputes by the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC), including those involving OFWs.
Under the resolution, the MWRC will be a separate quasi-judicial body under the Department of Migrant Workers that will assume all labor claims and other disputes involving OFWs from the NLRC, including illegal termination, unpaid wages and various contract disputes.
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Tulfo said the NLRC processes more than 30,000 cases each year, which makes OFW cases especially susceptible to delays and backlogs.
“Although the NLRC is a well-established and vital organization, its responsibility extends to both local and overseas workers, resulting in a substantial increase in caseloads. Reports indicate that this large volume of cases has caused considerable delays, adversely affecting OFWs in their pursuit of justice,” he added.
Under the proposed bill, the MWRC will have jurisdiction over all cases involving Filipino migrant workers—both land-based and sea-based—to the exclusion of all other courts, tribunals, or quasi-judicial bodies.
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It will function under the DMW to promote a more coherent and consistent government policy on overseas employment.
Tulfo said the creation of the MWRC strengthens the government’s commitment to protect and promote the welfare of Filipino migrant workers.
“Panahon na para magkaroon ng sariling korte ang ating mga OFW para sa mabilis, abot-kaya, at makataong hustisya!,” he said
(“It is time a separate court is set up for our OFWs to ensure a fast, reliable and humane justice system).
