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Presenter

Ph.D. Ron Bridget T. Vilog, Department of International Studies, De La Salle University, Manila

Title of Presentation

Migrant Protection and Human Rights: Pandemic Experiences of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and Responses of the Philippine Government

Abstract

　With states imposing lockdowns, quarantine measures, mobility protocols, and border control during the COVID-19 Pandemic, the immigrant population faced the challenge of losing their jobs or having their salaries reduced due to the ailing pandemic economy. Undocumented migrants, being not qualified to receive government support and other relief packages distributed by state agents, suffered the most. Host states have imposed not only stringent laws and policies that directly and indirectly cause economic, social, and even cultural suffering to the migrants, but also various obstacles to subsidies, job security, relief packages, and medical support that are provided to the citizens and non-migrant stayers. And in many parts of the world, reports of human rights abuses among OFWs significantly increased.
This paper revisits the experiences of the OFWs including the urgent human trafficking and extreme abuses reported during the height of the pandemic. It examines the multisectoral responses to provide immediate relief to the victims. Most importantly, it explores the current initiatives of the Marcos administration to intensify support and protection of the Overseas Filipino Workers. 

Profile

Dr. Ron Bridget Vilog is an associate professor and former chairperson of the International Studies Department of De La Salle University. He obtained his PhD in International Development from the Graduate School of International Development (GSID) of Nagoya University, Japan through the Monbukagakusho Scholarship Program. Dr. Vilog has written research papers on the migration dynamics of OFWs, including nurses, caregivers, and factory workers.