Frameworks protecting OFWs, domestic workers presented to United Nations

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines highlighted the normative and institutional frameworks the government built for the protection of overseas Filipinos and domestic workers during a meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

The Philippine Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva and UN Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and girls, Siobhán Mullally, co-organized a panel discussion on migrant domestic workers and risks to trafficking on the sidelines of the 59th Session of the Human Rights Council.

The aim was to present and exchange views on the findings of the special rapporteur’s report titled “Migrant domestic workers and trafficking in persons: prevention, rights protection and access to justice,” highlighting the policy and institutional gaps that increase the risk of trafficking for migrant domestic workers. 

The Philippines, together with Argentina, Germany and Jordan, led the resolution that created the mandate of the special rapporteur. 

Ambassador Carlos Sorreta, permanent representative of the Philippines to the UN in Geneva, thanked Mullally for putting a spotlight on the plight of domestic migrant workers who provide essential but undervalued services, and are most vulnerable to trafficking, exploitation and abuse. 

“Today, we have well-established mechanisms covering the whole migration process – from pre-departure training to the provision of consular, legal, and welfare assistance, and from repatriation to reintegration of nationals into the domestic workforce and society,” Sorreta said.

He said the Philippines has one of the most stringent anti-illegal recruitment and anti-trafficking laws and measures covering prevention, protection of victims and survivors, and prosecution of perpetrators. Hundreds have been convicted under these laws. The Philippines has maintained its Tier 1 ranking in the US Department of State Trafficking in Persons report in 2024, for the ninth consecutive year. 

Philippine diplomatic and consular missions all around the world are tasked and well resourced to provide assistance to domestic workers in distress, including shelters and social services as well as legal assistance to prosecute traffickers.

Noting the complexity of the migration process and the transnational nature of trafficking, Sorreta emphasized the importance of international cooperation stating that “the best way to address human trafficking is through bilateral agreements or arrangements that strengthen legal pathways, allow access to victims and cooperate in prosecuting traffickers.”

The Philippines is a state party to the Migrant Workers Convention and ILO Conventions 189 and 190, and signatory to the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, and its protocols on human trafficking and smuggling of migrants.

The panel discussion gathered together representatives of states, international organizations, civil society organizations and trade unions, in person at the Palais des Nations and online.