Chatto meets RP Consulate, Labor, OWWA Officials re garding OFWs

( DUBAI , UAE)- First District Congressman Edgar M. Chatto met Thursday morning with Philippine Consulate, Dept. of Labor and Overseas Welfare Administration officials at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates regarding the plight of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). Present during the breakfast meeting were Acting Consul-General Vicente-Vicencio Bandillo, Labor Attache Florencia Ardivilla and Welfare Officer Eduardo Mendoza, Jr.

The Philippine officials briefed Cong. Chatto that OFWs are contributing largely to the economy of UAE and are well-liked due to their love of work and good command of English language. However, it was also acknowledged that there are many issues confronting OFWs including cases involving breach of employment contract either by the employer or employee, violation of immigration and labor laws, and in some instances, alleged maltreatment by their employers.

After the meeting, Chatto and the officials came up with consensus recommendation urging all Filipinos aspiring to work in the UAE and the Middle East to take the Pre-departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) seriously and learn the culture of the employer's country before the scheduled departure. It has been observed that many conflicts between employers and employees were traced to differences in cultural practices, thus creating gaps in the workplace. It was also discussed that aspiring OFWs must avoid resorting to Visit Visa as a scheme to gain entry in the UAE since this will not guarantee employment and will result instead to heavy penalties including possible imprisonment.

The Philippine Consulate and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office assured Chatto that assistance will be given to OFWs facing cases in the Middle East and those filing cases against their employers or recruitment agencies. It may be noted that lately, Chatto caused the release and repatriation of 23 OFWs including a Boholana who were held up in a well guarded quarter of the employer. Chatto visited Dubai enroute to Tehran , Iran , where he represented House Speaker Jose De Venecia and the Philippine Congress in the meeting of Association of Asian Parliaments for Peace (AAPP) with 39 member countries. Cong. Chatto is the Chairman of the House Committee on Tourism and member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Special Committee on OFWs.

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