Migrant workers want OEC scrapped

MANILA, Philippines — A group of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) yesterday called for the total abolition of the overseas employment certification (OEC).

Migrante International insisted that the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) order suspending the processing and issuance of OECs is just a “band-aid” solution to the widespread problem of illegal recruitment.

“It does not address the root causes of illegal recruitment and human trafficking,” Migrante spokesman Arman Hernando said.

“Unscrupulous recruitment agencies and employers will only find a way around this order and tie OFWs to more exploitative arrangements,” he added.

Hernando said DOLE should abolish the OECs before the end of the year.

“It has become clearer that OEC is but a useless and ‘legalized kotong’ or extortion scheme of the government. It has become a tool of officials to amass ill-gotten wealth and let labor exportation businesses to exploit and profit from OFWs. It must be abolished now,” Hernando said.

Hernando further urged DOLE to publicly identify the government officials involved in illegal recruiters.

To stop illegal recruitment, Migrante said, the government should stop forced migration and end the labor export policy.

The recruitment industry, however, is appealing to the government to immediately resume the issuance of OEC and deployment of newly hired OFWs.

Recruitment firms claimed that the two-week suspension could lead to P132 million loss on airline rebooking alone.

They said the suspension order could also ruin overseas employment prospects for thousands of OFWs.