Jinggoy wants abuses by BI, NBI agents against OFWs probed

02/27/2009

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada filed a resolution last Tuesday urging the concerned Senate committees to investigate the alleged extortion activities of agents of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) victimizing departing overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Estrada, who is also chairman of the Senate committee on labor, employment and human resources development and the joint congressional oversight committee on labor and employment, filed Senate Resolution 907 seeking an investigation in aid of legislation into BI and NBI agents that abuse helpless OFWs.

He said the government should protect the workers, an important sector of the society that contributes dollars to help the economy.

“While the government has vowed to help and assist OFWs, apparently some government officers callously take advantage and prey on their plight,” Estrada said.

He added there are reports that many workers were harassed and forced to pay bribes to BI and NBI agents before they can be allowed to leave for the Middle East where they have job contracts.

Estrada said even though the OFWs have legitimate papers that were properly processed by licensed agencies and approved by the Philippine labor attaches in Dubai and Kuwait, the unscrupulous agents of the BI and NBI implement “circuitous and difficult procedures” to delay the departure of workers to force them to give bribes.

He added some 500 departing OFWs have not been able to leave the country because of the strict procedures implemented by the BI and NBI since January.

“The OFWs have lost their jobs for failing to arrive on time in Dubai after they were prevented from leaving NAIA,” Estrada said.

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