DEPARTMENT of Labor and Employment (DOLE) chief Silvestre Bello III has expressed belief that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the United States (US) will not be affected by the emerging word war between Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and US President Barack Obama.
According to Bello, he does not foresee any adverse effects of the statements made by Duterte against Obama to OFWs working in the US.
“Wala naman akong nakikitang complications,” said Bello when asked of its possible impact to OFWs in the US.
Records reveal that there is an estimated 400,000 OFWs in the United States, excluding those that are already permanent residents there.
Bello is referring to the statement of Duterte, wherein he "bad mouthed and cursed" Obama over the possibility of the latter questioning the former over the alleged human rights violations in the Philippines.
Duterte was scheduled to meet Obama at the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting until it was cancelled by the White House on Tuesday morning, which is just after the Philippine president’s tirade Monday afternoon.
As to his reaction to Duterte’s tirades, the labor chief said he understands where the former is coming from.
“Bakit niya ginawa iyon? Siguro naalala niya na si President Obama is already a lame duck president. Ilang buwan na lang wala na siya,” said the official.
“So, I think, he is more concerned about the welfare of Filipino workers than establishing a strong cooperation with an outgoing president,” Bello added.
In a related development, Bello led on Monday the launching of the DOLE Hotline 1349, wherein the public may call their queries and complaints that are related to labor and employment, both local and overseas, issues.
“This is the Department’s contribution to ensure prompt and efficient government services to our workers. The 24/7 hotline service will improve and strengthen employment promotion and respond to other labor-related inquiries,” said Bello.
Among the issues the hotline is ready to attend to are inquiries on local and overseas employment opportunities, worker rights and benefits, working conditions, wages, labor relations, and post-employment issues.
It shall also be prepared to attend to reports on illegal recruitment, child labor, contractualization, and labor standards violations.
“The reports will be referred to appropriate DOLE agencies and other government offices,” said Bello.
The call center, which is housed at the 4th Floor of the DOLE Main Office in Intramuros, Manila, shall be manned by a total of 10 agents at any given time as it will be operating on three shifts per day. (HDT/Sunnex)