World Boxing Organization welterweight champion and congressman Manny Pacquiao (L) of the Philippines looks at documents shown by his attorney Remigio Rojas during a news conference in Manila March 26, 2012. Pacquiao, vowed to fight to the finish until the final and last round the tax case against him saying it has affected his training for the June welterweight fight against U.S. boxer Timothy Bradley in Las Vegas. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco (PHILIPPINES – Tags: POLITICS CRIME LAW SPORT BOXING)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel Pacquiao has filed a bill which seeks to provide overseas Filipino workers with a handbook that contains pertinent information that can help them address their problems and concerns which he hopes would prevent them from becoming victims of human trafficking.
Pacquiao said House Bill 2981 will mandate the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration to publish, disseminate and update a handbook on the rights and responsibilities of OFWs.
“The handbook aims to serve as their ready reference if and when they need to assert their rights as migrant workers. It will be written in simple language with translations in native dialects that the OFWs can readily understand,” he explained.
Pacquiao said he is hoping the measure can also help end the country’s problem on human trafficking.
“Many OFWs fall prey to the crime because they are unaware of their rights,” he said.
The boxing icon-turned-lawmaker is a known advocate of the rights and welfare of migrant workers and the cause of human trafficking victims.
He had vocally supported legislations that combat the so-called modern-day slavery and was instrumental in the passage of RA 10364 or the expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012.
As the current senior vice chairperson of the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs, Pacquiao has vowed to continue campaigning for the protection and interests of Filipino migrant workers. (MNS)