Aquino vows to push for OFWs’ rights at Asia-Europe Meeting in Laos


ANDREO CALONZO, GMA NEWS 

(Updated 4:00 p.m.) President Benigno Aquino III on Sunday vowed to push for the rights of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Europe during the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Laos this week.

In his departure speech before leaving for Vientiane, Aquino said he will make sure that the employment of OFWs in Europe will be protected amid the economic crisis in the region.

"Maaaring mailagay sa alanganin at maipit sa usaping-pulitikal ang mga kababayan nating walang ibang nais kundi ang bigyan ng maaliwalas na buhay ang kanilang pamilya. Dapat lang na manindigan tayo para sa pangangalaga sa karapatang-pantao ng libu-libong OFWs sa Europa,” the President said.

He added the economic crisis in Europe can be solved through cooperation among nations.

“Kapwa nakikinabang ang ating mga rehiyon sa sipag ng ating mga migrant workers, kaya naman sa halip na magtayo ng barikada, hudyat ito upang humubog ng mas matibay na ugnayan kung saan lahat tayo ay makikinabang,” he said.

Aquino likewise said that he is scheduled to have bilateral talks with leaders from Switzerland, Poland, Norway and Italy at the sidelines of the two-day conference.

Based on latest data from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, over 48,000 Filipinos are currently working in Europe.

Pinoys in Laos

Aquino likewise said that he has also scheduled a visit to the Filipino community in Laos to talk to them regarding his administration’s accomplishments.

“Bahagi po ng tungkulin natin ang ihatid sa kanila ang mabubuting balitang tinatamasa natin dito sa Pilipinas, at ipaalam sa kanilang nasa mabuting kamay ang kanilang pamilya,” he said in his departure speech.

The President added that he will use this visit as an opportunity to listen to the concerns of Filipinos in Laos.

“Kung mayroon man po silang mga saloobin at pangangailangan, pagkakataon din po ito upang sila’y pakinggan para naman agad natin itong matugunan,” he said.

Philippine Ambassador to Laos Maria Lumen Isleta, for her part, said the Filipino community in the country is “ready and excited” to meet the President.

“Some of them have volunteered to perform onstage or help out in the reception and in ushering… Some of them, particularly those working in the mining sites, traveled from faraway areas to be present during the dinner and be on hand to welcome the President,” Isleta said in a statement posted on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) website on Sunday.

Aquino is scheduled to have dinner with Filipinos in Laos at the Mekong Restaurant in Vientiane on Sunday night, Isleta added.

According to the DFA, there are around 550 Filipinos currently living in Laos. — BM, GMA News

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