2. C O N T E N T S Introduction Legal and Policy Framework
Embassy’s Key On-site Assistance to Migrant Workers
Reaching out to migrant communities

3. LEGAL AND POLICY FRAMEWORK
The framework consists of legal and policy
instruments at the international, regional
and national levels.
These instruments serve as the foundation
of the role of the Embassy in providing
on-site assistance to protect and promote
the rights of migrant workers .

4. LEGAL AND POLICY FRAMEWORK
A. International level
1. Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (VCDR)
2. Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (VCCR)
3. UN International Convention on the Protection
of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members
of their Families
4. ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and
Rights at Work
5. ILO Convention Nos. 97 , 143 and 189

5. LEGAL AND POLICY FRAMEWORK
B. Regional level
1. ASEAN Declaration on the Protection
and Promotion of the Rights of
Migrant Workers
- ASEAN Committee to Implement the
Declaration (ACMW)
- ASEAN Forum on Migrant Labor (AFML)

6. LEGAL AND POLICY FRAMEWORK
C. National level (Philippine Experience)
1. The Philippine Constitution
2. Philippine Foreign Service Act
(RA No. 7157)
Migrant Workers and Filipinos Act
of ( RA No. 8042, as amended
by RA 10022)
Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (RA 9208)

7. EMBASSY’S ON-SITE ASSISTANCE
Operational framework for on-site assistance
One-Country Team Approach (OCTA)
(Executive Order No. 74 of 1993)
- mode under which all officers and personnel of the
Embassy act as one country team under the
leadership of the Ambassador
- puts into action the convergence of activities and
resources of the Embassy

8. EMBASSY’S ON-SITE ASSISTANCE
2. Joint Manual of Operations in Providing Assistance to
Migrant Workers and Other Filipinos Overseas (2015)
- ensures efficient and effective delivery of services to
Overseas Filipinos, particularly those in distress, who
require prompt and proper assistance at all times.
- contains the basic rules and procedures in providing
on-site assistance by the Embassy

9. EMBASSY’S ON-SITE ASSISTANCE
Consular Section
Assistance to National Unit (ATNU)
Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO)
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)
Social Service Office (SSO)

10. EMBASSY’S ON-SITE ASSISTANCE
General roles of Embassy in protecting and
promoting the rights of migrant workers:
1. Make representations with host government on all
matters concerning rights of migrant workers,
accordance of due process and humane
treatment, among others;
2. Negotiate with host government to forge
bilateral agreements or arrangements towards
achieving decent work for migrant workers;

11. EMBASSY’S ON-SITE ASSISTANCE
General roles of Embassy in protecting and
promoting the rights of migrant workers:
3. Conduct information dissemination on important
matters affecting the work, safety, security, health
and general well-being of migrant workers in the
host country;
4. Engagement in advocacy work for migrant workers
with civil society groups, NGOs, other Embassies,
academe, labor groups in the host country;

12. EMBASSY’S ON-SITE ASSISTANCE
General roles of Embassy in protecting and
promoting the rights of migrant workers:
5. Conduct regular dialogues with migrant
communities, civil society groups, NGOs and other
migration stakeholders on issues affecting migrant
workers;
6. Assess the situation in host country to ensure safe
and orderly employment of migrant workers ; and
7. Provide emergency assistance to migrant workers
thru 24/7 crisis hotline and rapid response teams.

13. EMBASSY’S ON-SITE ASSISTANCE
Key on-site assistance to migrant workers
Assistance to Nationals Unit/DFA
1. Assistance in criminal (police) and immigration cases
- provide services of lawyer/counsel, as applicable
- visit prison/jail / detention centers/ holding areas
- attend court hearings
- inform migrant worker of the administrative and
judicial remedies/options available in the host
country and its repercussions

14. EMBASSY’S ON-SITE ASSISTANCE
Key on-site assistance to migrant workers
Assistance to victims of human trafficking
- facilitate case documentation e.g. affidavit
- work on legal stay (visa ) of victim with authorities
- refer victim to institution for rehabilitation
- provide temporary shelter, medical and health care
- accompany victim during investigation and attend
court hearing
- facilitate safe, dignified and sustainable return to
family and community in home country

15. EMBASSY’S ON-SITE ASSISTANCE
Key on-site assistance to migrant workers
Registration of migrant workers/nationals
Mediation in cases involving members of migrant
community
Visit jail / prison / detention center
7. Shipment of remains and personal belongings of
deceased migrant worker

16. EMBASSY’S ON-SITE ASSISTANCE
Key on-site assistance to migrant workers
7. Repatriation of distressed and medically-ill
workers
8. Rescue assistance, in coordination with police and
other concerned authorities
POLO/ DOLE and OWWA
9. Documentation of employment e.g. verification

17. EMBASSY’S ON-SITE ASSISTANCE
Key on-site assistance to migrant workers
of employment contracts and other labor
documents, issuance of Overseas Employment
Certificate (OEC), OWWA membership
Conciliate/mediate disputes related to terms and
conditions of employment and employer-employee
relationship
Assist in claims for death benefits, end-of-service

18. EMBASSY’S ON-SITE ASSISTANCE
Key on-site assistance to migrant workers
benefits, insurance and other benefits arising from
employment
Provide services of the Migrant Workers and Other
Overseas Filipinos Resource Center (MWOFRC) , as
mandated under RA 8042, amended by RA 10022, as
follows:
- Counseling and legal services

19. EMBASSY’S ON-SITE ASSISTANCE
Key on-site assistance to migrant workers
- welfare assistance including the procurement of
medical and hospitalization services
- information, advisory programs to promote social
integration such as Post Arrival Orientation
Seminar (PAOS) and community networking
services
- institute a scheme for registration of
undocumented workers

20. EMBASSY’S ON-SITE ASSISTANCE
Key on-site assistance to migrant workers
- human resource development, such as training and
skills training
- gender sensitive programs and activities to assist
particular needs of women migrant workers
- orientation programs for returning workers and
other migrants; and
- monitoring of daily situation, circumstances and
activities affecting migrant workers

21. EMBASSY’S ON-SITE ASSISTANCE
Key on-site assistance to migrant workers
14. Provide distressed workers with temporary shelter at
the MWOFRC
Visit medically-ill migrant workers in hospitals,
homes and worksites
16. Conduct reintegration preparedness seminars

22. EMBASSY’S ON-SITE ASSISTANCE
Key on-site assistance to migrant workers
Social Welfare / DSWD
17. Provide psycho-social services like counseling, stress
debriefing, value inculcation/emotional healing., play
therapy and pre-marriage and marriage counseling
18. Provide social protection services for women , children
and other vulnerable groups

23. EMBASSY’S ON-SITE ASSISTANCE
Key on-site assistance to migrant workers
Social Welfare / DSWD
19. Assist workers in crisis situation in terns of such
needs as food, clothing, hygiene supplies,
transportation and medical treatment; and
20. Provide alternative parental care services (adoption,
foster care, legal guardianship).

24. REACH ING OUT TO MIGRANT COMMUNITIES
Outreach programs and strategies
1. Organize programs/ activities for the community such
as national events (celebrations of Independence Day,
Labor Day and Migrants’ Day) , cultural shows, games
and sports, trade fair, talent and skills showcase .
2. Conduct outreach activities and services for information
dissemination, medical mission , counseling and
registration.

25. REACHING OUT TO MIGRANT COMMUNITIES
Outreach programs and strategies
3. Create a network of community volunteers
4. Conduct training on leadership and volunteerism for
community leaders
5. Wherever possible, set up help desk in areas where
workers usually congregate or visit like the church,
social halls, sports centers

26. REACH OUT TO MIGRANT COMMUNITIES
Outreach programs and strategies
6. Engage community leaders to dialogues/ consultations
on important issues affecting workers
7. In partnership with cause –oriented groups, conduct
education/advocacy/awareness campaigns
8. Provide crisis services thru 24/7 help lines via phone ,
internet and social media technology

28. SERVICE BEYOND BORDERS
Thank you !