THE Department of Labor and Employment yesterday urged overseas Filipino workers to go to the Philippine Overseas Labor Office nearest them to report abusive employers.

Labor Secretary Marianito Roque made the call amid reports that  some Filipino household service workers are being maltreated by their employers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

“I call on OFWs and their families to contact the nearest POLO or the DoLE and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration for assistance in all cases of abuse and exploitation that the OFWs may encounter in the hands of their employers onsite,” he said.

Roque said seeking other groups’ help would only delay assistance.

“It would be more beneficial if they will directly contact the two agencies for needed assistance,” he said.

Roque also instructed Riyadh-based Labor Attache Rustico dela Fuente to look into the report.

Meanwhile, he said efforts have been set in place to improve the delivery of services to OFWs.  Roque said a Foreign Labor Operations Information System will soon be implemented to improve the management and operations of 38 POLOs in various destinations overseas.

He said the FLOIS will provide Internet-based information on profiles of OFWs  and their foreign employers and a listing of local and foreign recruitment agencies.   
Lee Ann P. Ducusin