THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) have partnered to enhance human rights protection of over 10 million overseas Filipino workers and their families at the home front.
In a recent celebration of the 30th Migrant Workers’ Day, CHR chairman Richard Palpal-latoc and DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac inked a memorandum of agreement to strengthen human rights protection through increased awareness efforts, provision of free legal and psychosocial services via legal clinic caravans, and delivery of timely assistance against abuse, exploitation, and trafficking cases.
The tie-up also covers mechanisms for joint quick response operations in the event of human rights violations, collaborative research and policy development to inform on new programs, and inclusive consultations to ensure that the Filipino migrant workers’ voices are meaningfully represented in policy-making.
“Allow me to reaffirm that the Commission on Human Rights is steadfast in its commitment to ensure that Filipino migrant workers are not forgotten and left behind but recognized, celebrated, and protected. Their rights are not mere declarations and principles on paper. Instead, these are acknowledged, exercised and upheld at all times,” Palpal-latoc said.
Cacdac, for his part, cited the importance of a rights-based approach to ensure the welfare of the so-called modern-day heroes.
“To promote the rights of the OFWs, that (human rights) is inherent in every person. Therefore, they must be honored and respected, and if violated, a solution or remedy must be found,” he said.,
“The Commission believes that Filipino migrant workers, as our modern-day heroes, deserve not only recognition but also tangible, sustainable programs that ensure their protection and meaningful participation in nation-building,” the statement read.
