RIYADH, 9 October 2003 — One only has to type “www.poloksa.com” to visit the website of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office, which was launched last week to reach more Filipinos in the Kingdom and hear their needs, complaints, and suggestions related to their working conditions as migrant Filipinos.
Envisioned by Labor Attaché Jainal Rasul Jr., the site offers a rundown of basic POLO services such as workers protection assistance, conciliation service, legal assistance, and repatriation assistance.
Ready for downloading is Rasul’s “The OFW Guide to Saudi Labor Law,” a primer for OFWs who want to know their rights and obligations under the Saudi Labor Law.
One of the assistance POLO provides under the workers protection and welfare is to press for the complaints and other monetary claims of female runaway OFWs, particularly domestic helpers and other skilled workers. POLO provides intervention services by means of negotiations with the employers, active endorsement of female domestic helpers to the Saudi Social Welfare Administration (SSWA), police referral through the embassy, watch-listing of deploying agencies, including recommendations for suspension or blacklisting, among others. Complaints can be directly e-mailed to the welfare officers, and even to the labor attaché.
Deen Mohammed, designer of the site and recipient of the Best Website 2002 from the Philippine Web Awards, said that the site also features news updates on OFW concerns and currently makes profiling of the Accredited Community Partners (ACP).
Each ACP will be featured every month.
The website likewise offers links with government agencies like the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA), Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Social Security Services (SSS), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and PAG-IBIG Fund, and other online resources.
Forms can also be downloaded like power of attorney, overseas employment certificate, standard contract, passport application, and even voter’s registration.
