Free OFWs from GAMCA’s Medical Decking – A Continuing Scandalous Ordeal
March 23, 2015
The Philippine Association of Service Exporters, Inc. (PASEI) appeals to the government to get its act together and to focus its efforts on the immediate dismantling of the medical decking scheme which GAMCA Philippines continues to implement.
PASEI Chairwoman Edwina L. Beech highlighted the difficulties faced by OFWs bound for the Middle East who endure long queues and direct exposure to extreme summer heat and intermittent rain showers, as GAMCA Philippines requires the OFWs to first secure their medical referral at its Secretariat in United Nations Manila before being ordered to proceed to any of its member-clinic for pre-employment medical examination.
This practice, known as medical decking, had long been prohibited under Republic Act No. 10022. In particular, Section 16(c.4) states: “The decking practice, which requires an overseas Filipino worker to go first to an office for registration and then farmed out to a medical clinic located elsewhere, shall not be allowed.”
According to Chairwoman Beech, “The challenge for the government is to clearly demonstrate that it can protect the rights and interests of our OFWs within its territorial jurisdiction and, once and for all, immediately trounce GAMCA’s medical decking practice thereby liberating our OFWs from this continuing scandalous ordeal.”[end]
For Reference:
Ms. Edwina L. Beech
Chairwoman, PASEI
TF: (+632) 725-7030 | T: (+632) 724-9986