Sweden has indicated that it may employ more overseas Filipino workers, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said, even as it asked the Swedish government to promote a policy of equality to ensure the welfare of OFWs specially Filipinas.

In a speech at the "International Conference on Women Shaping Democracy --- Progressive Politics Ten Years After the World Conference on Women in Beiijng," Sto. Tomas took note of the effort of Sweden, amidst the prospect that this country could employ OFWs, to ensure equality considering the role that Filipinas have in relation to Swedish families.

She acknowledged the Swedish delegation's request to be enlightened on the Philippines' position regarding a proposal of the Labor Party in Sweden for an "equality" policy, including granting tax reduction to women migrants, amidst the prospect that the country might welcome more overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) into its fold.

The Labor chief also emphasized that on the part of the Philippines, the matter of leaving for a foreign country is "basically a matter of choice." Nevertheless, she said that both the prospective host and sending countries may come together, and set up "mutually acceptable standards" to ensure the welfare of OFWs.

"My concern is that your government would have a clear cut policy and a system of protecting [migrant workers against] discriminatory practices. You must have a policy that allows them to come on a regular basis, because the absence of such a policy puts our workers at risk [and] do not accord our workers with the level of protection that they require," she advised.

Sto. Tomas enunciated the steps and policies that the Philippine government had put in place to protect and ensure globally the welfare of the OFWs. She appraised the gathering that Filipino women continue to have a prominent role, both as local and as overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Sustaining a trend that started in the 1980s, Filipino females accounted for 69 percent of the total deployment of OFWs in 2002 in the service (44.5%), professional and technical (42.9%), production sectors, and other industries.

"Believing that the best employment mechanism is to have a good welfare program, the Philippine government has lined up a variety of programs for our OFWs and their families from pre-departure, employment, to their reintegration to the Philippine labor market and economy," the Labor chief said.

She emphasized that during pre-departure and pre-employment orientation seminars, would-be OFWs are not only well-oriented on the norms and customs of their host countries, but are also warned against and taught to avoid being victimized by illegal recruiters and racketeers.

"We are also continuing our efforts at forging and/or upgrading bilateral agreements with host governments for the protection and welfare of OFWs, the observance of terms and conditions of their employment contracts, and provisions for enhancement of these accords," Sto. Tomas said.

Source: DOLE Information and Publication Service