FIFTEEN new labor attachés are set to be deployed to different Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs) in the coming weeks.
This was according to Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III, who bared that he has made 15 new appointments for labor attachés.
“Matagal ko nang iniscreen iyang mga iyan. Hindi ko pa lang nilalabas. Kasi ang appointment muna is as labor attachés then iba pa yung order of deployment,” said Bello in an interview.
The official, though, admitted that the 15 new appointees include the two that are set to replace those assigned in the POLOs in Riyadh and Jeddah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).
“The two na papalitan have to come back home and explain. Before Christmas, darating na sila dito,” said Bello in reference to the two labor attachés ordered recalled from Riyadh and Jeddah.
It can be recalled that Bello had long recalled the Philippine labor attachés in Riyadh and Jeddah over their alleged inaction on the plight of stranded and retrenched Filipino workers there.
Other areas where new labor attachés shall be deployed are in Washington, DC in the United States; Toronto in Canada; Singapore; Milan in Italy; and Madrid in Spain.
In a related development, Bello said the term of labor attachés are being extended from three years to five years.
He said he has already issued Administrative Order (AO) No. 509-2016, which effectively amends Section 77 of AO 168-2013.
“Kung pupunta ka as a labor attache in an area, you need at least two years to get well-versed to the environment. Eh after three years ire-recall ka na. Sayang yung experience mo doon. So I made it five years na,” said Bello.
He, however, said all terms of labor attachés shall be for five years except when the official reaches the age limit of 62 years old.
“Pangit ka naman kung maglalagay ka ng labor attache na uugod-ugod na. Hindi na makakatulong iyon sa mga OFWs,” said Bello.
The Labor Chief also said another exemption to the five-year term is when the labor attaché is found to be underperforming.
“Fixed iyon, although subject to the recall of the Sec. Kapag di maganda ang performance,” said Bello.
To note, the estimated 50 POLOs all over the world are headed by labor attachés, and are mandated to ensure OFW protection, employment promotion, and issuance of Overseas Employment Certificates (OECs) to returning workers. (HDT/Sunnex)