CHR raises plight of stranded OFWs, healthcare workers

(Philstar.com) June 26, 2021 – 3:25 p.m.

MANILA, Philippines – The government should allow foreign Filipinos to return to their families and encourage local health workers to stay in the country by raising the standard for their compensation, the Human Rights Commission said on Saturday.

The Philippines recently extended the travel ban on travelers from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, the United Arab Emirates and Oman to June 30 as a precaution against the more contagious Delta variant.

Filipinos affected by the government’s return efforts are exempt from the ban provided they undergo quarantine and testing protocols, but some Filipino workers overseas pushed for the ban to be lifted, saying they have been in theirs for over a month Host countries stranded.

The government also announced that it would not send any more health care workers to countries that are restricting entry for Filipinos.

“The CHR extends its solidarity with our migrants and OFWs stranded far from home and their families,” said Gwendolyn Pimentel-Gana, CHR commissioner for migrant rights. “We are aware of the plight of our migrant workers who may face loss of income, experience fear and suffering as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, and the emotional distress of not seeing their families.”

“While we understand that the ban on the return of OFWs should prevent the possible spread of the new COVID-19 strain in the Philippines, the government should reconsider its imposition and allow Filipinos to come home to their families, even if it does meant “to impose stricter quarantine procedures upon arrival in the country.”

The CHR also urged the government to raise pay standards for healthcare workers, provide them with fair wages and benefits, and ensure the promotion and protection of their general well-being.

“Due to the inadequate compensation and funding of the country’s health sector, HCWs are being forced to seek employment abroad,” said Pimentel-Gana.

“Migration should be a choice, not the only option for HCWs and OFWs in general.”

Obligations towards migrant workers under international law

Primentel-Gana stressed that according to Article 8.2 of the International Convention for the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, migrant workers and their families “have the right to enter and stay in their country of origin at any time”. which the Philippines is a contracting state.

Article 13 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: “Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.”

This right is also guaranteed by Article 12 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (IPBPR), said the Commissioner.

While Article 4 of the same treaty allows states to take “measures that deviate from their obligations” in times of public emergency threatening the life and existence of a nation, Pimentel-Gana said, “Such measures must not conflict with their other obligations from international law. “

“Restrictions must not be applied in a discriminatory or arbitrary manner and must always respect human dignity, human rights and fundamental freedoms,” she said.

– Bella Perez-Rubio

source https://dailyhealthynews.ca/chr-raises-plight-of-stranded-ofws-healthcare-workers/