Kabayan Party-list Representative Ron Salo has introduced House Bill 10821, known as the “OFWs Registry Act,” which aims to streamline the overseas employment process and provide comprehensive support for Filipino workers seeking jobs abroad.
“The OFW Registry Bill is a proactive step to safeguard the welfare of our OFWs by ensuring that only those who are competent, prepared, and fully aware of the challenges they may face are deployed for overseas work,” Salo said in a PNA report.
The proposed legislation mandates that all valid job orders be posted in a centralized registry. This measure is designed to give overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) confidence that job offers are legitimate and have been verified. Salo emphasized that this transparency would protect OFWs from fraudulent job offers and ensure they are fully informed of available opportunities.
By requiring recruitment agencies to use the OFW Registry, the bill seeks to create a reliable source of information for Filipino workers, minimize the risk of exploitation, and help them make informed decisions about employment abroad. Salo stated, “The days of deploying unprepared OFWs are over. This bill ensures that our recruitment agencies can focus on individuals who have been properly vetted and prepared.”
A key provision of the bill is that any recruitment activities outside the OFW Registry, unless exempted by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), would be considered illegal recruitment. “This ensures that all recruitment practices are conducted within a regulated framework, further safeguarding OFWs from unscrupulous activities,” Salo explained.
The bill also aims to address the issue of deploying unprepared workers by allowing recruitment agencies to focus on those who are already registered and assessed for readiness. According to Salo, the OFW Registry Bill offers a comprehensive approach to tackling the various challenges associated with overseas employment, while promoting transparency and accountability in the recruitment process.