Bayan Muna was among the signatories in a petition that led to a Supreme Court decision declaring as unconstitutional the requirement for land-based overseas Fillipino workers (OFWs) to pay their Social Security System (SSS) contributions in advance before getting a certificate allowing them to work abroad.
The high court said the policy is a violation of the right to travel of OFWs and that it exceeded the authority granted to the SSS, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
“Bayan Muna has consistently opposed the provisions that impose unfair burdens on our OFWs, particularly the requirement for them to pay the ’employer’s share’ in the SSS contribution, which foreign employers are not obligated to cover,” they said in a press release.
But this recent win is not the first time.
True to its name, Bayan Muna has a long history of putting the rights and welfare of OFWs first.
In 2009, for one, then Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño filed a house resolution calling out a controversial government circular on the direct hiring of OFWs. Casiño, who is currently running for senator under the Makabayan Coalition, referred to the circular as yet another “moneymaking venture.”
Their chapters abroad, too, are resonating in this fight. In 2022, Bayan Muna’s chapter in Hong Kong was among those who strongly assailed the attempt to make Pag-IBIG fund contributions as mandatory for OFWs, calling it as “state exaction.”
The partylist also pushed for the welfare of Filipino migrants. In early 2022, Bayan Muna filed a house resolution to investigate the government contract with a private firm for the passport renewal of Filipino migrants in Italy.
Below is the list of legislative measures by Bayan Muna on the rights and welfare of OFWs:
| Legal victory on GR 248680 Migrante, Bayan Muna et. al vs SSS |
| HB 6698 Voluntary membership of OFWs in the National Health Insurance Program |
| HB 6588 Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers |
| HR 2042 Investigate the case of Mary Jane Veloso and many OFWs penalized in different countries for allegedly being “drug mules” or illegal drug traffickers |
| HR 2315 Investigate the policy of the Bureau of Customs mandating the opening and inspection of balikbayan boxes to check supposed “smuggling” by OFWs |
| HR 885 Inquiry on the surge of COVID-19 infection among repatriated displaced OFWs and reported risky and dismal situation in quarantine facilities, and recommend urgent measures to protect and support OFWs |
| HR 191 Deceitful and illegal recruitment of workers for Japan by Negros-Japan Human Resource Exchange Association, Inc. |
| HR 1231 Investigate the plight of stranded OFWs in Saudi Arabia |
“The House of Representatives is duty-bound to protect the interests of migrant Filipinos against government policies that will cause additional burden to our so-called modern heroes,” the Bayan Muna resolution said.
Bayan Muna has also called for the safety Filipino migrants living and working in conflict areas.
Last year, Bayan Muna third nominee Ferdinand Gaite called for specific measures for ensuring the safety and well-being of OFWs in Lebanon.
As a former employee of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Gaite emphasized the need for a proactive and transparent approach from government agencies to ensure accountability and prompt action in protecting Filipino migrants overseas.
“The situation for our kababayans in Lebanon is becoming increasingly dangerous by the day. We are challenging the DFA and other government agencies, such as the [DMW] to outline specific steps they will take to ensure the safety and well-being of our OFWs,” he said in a report.
Bayan Muna first nominee Neri Colmenares, on the other hand, has also been consistent with his call against labor export policy, saying that this has led to more Filipinos being sent out of the country to work abroad than creating meaningful jobs in the country.
“OFWs deserve fair treatment and respect for their invaluable contributions to our country. The Supreme Court’s ruling was a victory,” Colmenares said.
