As the leading agency that upholds the rights of migrant workers, the Department of Labor and Employment hosted the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Labor Ministers’ Retreat and 10th Meeting of the ASEAN Committee on Migrant Workers on February 19 to 22, 2017 in Marco Polo Hotel, Davao City.
Speaking on Monday, DOLE Secretary Sylvestre H. Bello III expressed his gratitude to host the ministerial retreat saying as the chairman of ASEAN 2017, the Philippines is looking forward to the finalization of the instrument on the protection and promotion of the rights of migrant workers.
“I am very pleased to note the level of commitment that our senior officials demonstrated in yesterday’s retreat as well as the support via the ASEAN Secretariat and each member state’s respective technical teams have exerted,” said Bello.
“What we have decided to submit to the ASEAN Committee on the Implementation of the ASEAN Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers as an output brings us closes to the fulfillment of what we have sown in Cebu 10 years ago,” he added.
According to the DOLE Secretary, the declaration, which was a ground breaking note to address the issue of migrant workers in the ASEAN region, was signed on January 13, 2017 during the 12th ASEAN Summit held in Cebu.
In an interview, Bello disclosed the highlights of the discussion conducted on February 19. He mentioned issues concerning working hours, exemption from payment of terminal fees and waiving of recruitment fees of the migrant workers.
“Indonesia has proposed that the instruments should be ‘legally binding’ but since now our country is not prepared to it, I proposed the term ‘morally binding’,” said Bello.
The Philippine Chairmanship of ASEAN 2017, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of the ASEAN regional community, is anchored on the theme, “Partnering for Change, Engaging the World.”
