CHR calls on gov’t to allow return of stranded OFWs, raise health workers’ pay amid pandemic

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Saturday called on the government to lift the travel ban on stranded overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and raise the compensation of healthcare workers amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement, CHR commissioner Gwendolyn Pimentel-Gana said the government should allow OFWs to return home and just impose stricter quarantine procedures upon their arrival in the country.

She cited Article 8.2 of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families: “Migrant workers and members of their families shall have the right at any time to enter and remain in their State of origin.”

Pimentel-Gana said Article 13 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights also states that, “Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.”

Citing Article 12 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), she said, “No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of the right to enter his own country.”

Article 4, meanwhile, provides that the country “may take measures derogating from their obligations under the ICCPR to the extent strictly required by the exigencies of the situation, such measures must not be inconsistent with their other obligations under international law.”

According to the CHR, restrictions must be neither discriminatory nor arbitrary, and must always respect human dignity, human rights, and fundamental freedoms.

“The CHR extends its solidarity to our migrants and OFWs who are stranded far away from home and their families,” Pimentel-Gana said.

“We recognize the plight of our migrant workers, who may grapple with the loss of their income, may experience fear and suffering as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, and may suffer from the emotional distress of not seeing their families,” she added.

According to the CHR, they are monitoring the deliberations on bills relevant to the rights and welfare of OFWs and their families.

It advised Congress to ensure that proposed legislation should benefit migrant workers and members of their families  and be in line with the laws and conventions related to their labor.

“The CHR remains vigilant in guaranteeing that immediate and proper assistance is given to all Filipino migrants,” it said.

“ We will continue to coordinate with other agencies of the Philippine government as well as National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) in receiving and transit countries to ensure that our OFWs who are stranded or are in distress have access to remedies.,” it added.

The CHR also called for on the government to provide healthcare workers with competitive salary, wages, and benefits to ensure the promotion and protection of their well-being. -MDM, GMA News