By Alec Go
President Rodrigo Duterte called for an end to the inhumane labor conditions and abuse being experienced by migrant workers such as unfair wages, movement restriction, and exploitation.
In his speech at the virtual forum on Migrant Labor Governance and the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration on April 20, the President emphasized the need to adhere to universal liberties and moral standards in terms of migration.
He reiterated that the government is seeking the immediate abolition of the Kafala system, and pointed out that the refusal of some sectors to respect the basic rights and freedom of all individuals “regardless of status” is not justifiable.
“The Kafala system is unjust [and] exploitative. It places thousands of migrant workers, particularly household workers, in the most vulnerable situation – unseen, unheard, and unable to defend their dignity as a human being,” he said.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed migrant workers, especially those under the Kafala system, to an even more precarious position.”
Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Sarah Arriola explained in an episode of the Laging Handa briefing on November 2020 that Kafala system is a “traditional sponsorship system” existing in the Middle East.
“’Yung buong buhay talaga ng OFW ay nakasalalay sa sponsor niya. So hindi siya maaaring mag-travel, lumabas ng bansa, or lumipat ng employer without the consent of the sponsor [The entire life of the OFW depends on their sponsor. They cannot travel, leave the country, or change employer without the sponsor’s consent],” she explained.
‘This has got to stop’
The Chief Executive said the practice of abuse must be ended. The abuse takes many forms including non-payment of wages, movement restriction, healthcare denial, sexual exploitation, even outright murder.
“As the world went into lockdowns, many were driven into destitution with no job, no social safety nets, and no money to send back home. This cannot go on,” he said.
“We must address the structural inequalities that push migrant workers to this grim reality. Our pandemic responses must be inclusive with no room for any kind of discrimination,” he added.
The President, meanwhile, welcomed the “reform initiative” of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and Bahrain concerning the Kafala system, and is hoping for the improvement of the conditions of migrant workers, including 800,000 Filipinos in Saudi Arabia.
“[The] Filipino is not a slave to anyone, anywhere. I dream of the day when working abroad becomes a choice and not a need for my countrymen,” he said.
Moreover, Duterte assured that the government under his term will remain committed to the “long-term vision of providing a stable, comfortable, and secure life for all Filipinos in their [very own] land.”
“[We] will never tire from seeking greater cooperation with all those who want these inequities and suffering to end, once and for all. This is the right thing to do. This is what is expected of us. And this is the only way to move forward,” he said.
