Ronaldo Z. Concha
Saudi Gazette
JEDDAH — Philippine Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz has announced a series of stringent measures to closely regulate the activities of Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLO) following “sex-for-flight” allegations against three POLO officials and one local-hire employee in Riyadh.
The three officials are accused of attempting to sexually molest and pimp out female Filipino workers in exchange for air tickets home, while the employee, a driver, allegedly tried to rape a female Filipino co-worker.
Baldoz said: "In order to prevent, preempt, and hopefully permanently root out the alleged malpractices and misdemeanors against overseas Filipino workers, such as those described in the sex-for-flight case, I have further issued reform measures to be strictly implemented in the POLOs."
Baldoz added that the rules are designed to be gender-balanced and sensitive and take into consideration the disadvantages often experienced by female Filipino workers abroad.
The measures aim to enhance and strengthen operations at the POLO in Riyadh as well as operations at its Migrant Workers and Other Filipino Resource Center, popularly known as the Bahay Kalinga shelter for distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
Baldoz has directed her country’s International Labor Affairs Bureau to ensure that a gender balance is maintained in all POLOs.
She said only female personnel should directly attend to the complaints and cases of women workers. If their cases are handled by a male case officer, a female member of POLO staff should be present.
Baldoz instructed the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration to contribute to the cost of training for those staying in shelters like Bahay Kalinga and ensure basic resources and equipment are available.
All POLOs should install sufficient CCTV cameras in their offices and in the shelters, said Baldoz.
To ensure transparency, Baldoz instructed that a clear glass-enclosed room should be installed in shelters to help monitor all transactions with workers.
