OFWs shouldn't be sent to areas with record of abuse - Villar

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DAVAO CITY, Philippines - If he can have it his way, Senate President Manuel Villar will impose an outright ban on the deployment of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to countries that have track record of abusive employers.

In an interview Friday, Villar said what is more important is for the government to protect the welfare of its people than keep good diplomatic relations with countries that have a long list of abuses inflicted on the OFWs.

"It is okay to strain relations. You have to protect your people first," Villar said when asked if a ban would affect the diplomatic relations of the Philippines with other countries.

Villar was in Davao City Friday to bring home an OFW who escaped from her employer in Abu Dhabi after her employer refused to pay her monthly salary.

He added that the countries, with a long list of abuses to OFWs, are relatively small in number. "Europe and Asia are okay, we just have to focus on these countries which are known for abusing our OFWs," Villar said. - Sun.Star Davao

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