OFW Group Eyeing Congressional Seat in 2016 Polls
QUEZON CITY: Distressed workers abroad may soon have a better say, and enjoy full protection of labor laws as a coalition of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) is eyeing at least one congressional seat in the May 2016 national elections.
The Alliance for Community Transformation and Services (ACTS)-OFW was quoted saying by Manila Bulletin that its bid for Congress is aimed at fighting for greater protection of the rights and the promotion of the welfare of millions of overseas Filipinos worldwide.
Citing that valuable rights of the OFW sector has been repeatedly ignored and abused, the group further said that their representation in Congress will hopefully put an end or at least curb the continued denial of their benefits and privileges, the report said.
Among the issues the group plans to address include the OFWs’ exemption to pay the PhP550 airport terminal fee; the safety and integrity of the balikbayan boxes; the protection against “tanim-bala” extortion modus at the airports; and illegal medical referral decking system of Gulf Cooperation Council Accredited Medical Clinics Associations; among others, the report said.
Meanwhile, John Bertiz, official spokesman of the ACTS-OFW Partylist was quoted saying by the news portal that the OFW sector, which has always been heralded as the country’s modern-day heroes, has a great stake in choosing the new set of national leaders it want them to lead in the next six years.