Solon wants legal aid desks, hotlines set up for OFWs
By Charlie V. Manalo 11/12/2011Cagayan Rep. Jack Enrile is seeking the creation of legal aid desks and 24-hour hotlines in Philippine embassies and consulates to provide timely and free legal assistance to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) abroad.
In filing House Bill 5453, Enrile said that while OFWs’ remittances which exceeded $18.7 billion in 2010 account for a substantial portion of the country’s economic output, Filipinos abroad get very little legal protection or assistance from Philippine diplomatic posts in their destination country.
In the proposed measure, Enrile calls for the creation of legal aid desks in all existing Philippine embassies and consulates, and 24-hour hotlines set up in countries with a high number of OFWs.
The lawmaker noted that about 3,000 OFWs have been in prison throughout the world for various offenses, 70 percent of whom are facing immigration-related charges..... MORE
Source: The Daily Tribune
URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20111112nat1.html
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