THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) yesterday announced it will conduct a thorough inspection of housing accommodation for those recruited to work as household service workers (HSWs) abroad.
This was in reaction to the issues earlier raised by Sen. Raffy Tulfo, chair of the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers after he inspected several lodging houses that provide temporary accommodation to workers waiting for deployment abroad.
Last Monday, Tulfo strongly criticized the conditions of the lodging houses provided by some recruitment agencies, saying the workers are forced to occupy crowded sleeping quarters that have shabby comfort rooms and no fire exits.
In a statement, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said they are looking at conducting inspections in the housing facilities being provided by licensed Philippine recruitment agencies (PRAs) deploying HSWs.
“We are conducting a nationwide survey, especially among those engaged in domestic worker recruitment if ever they have one,” said Cacdac.
Out of 33 listed accommodation facilities, he said that only six remain registered with the DMW.
“The DMW has already delisted 27 accommodation facilities because they have violations with regard to DMW standards,” said Cacdac.
Aside from inspecting such facilities, the DMW chief said they will also issue a firmer set of guidelines on the accommodation or housing facilities for HSWs.
“The DMW is considering adoption of the Singaporean housing standards for migrant workers to address the deplorable housing conditions of applicant-workers crammed in substandard accommodations while awaiting deployment by their recruitment agencies,” Cacdac said.
