Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) may soon get a separate quasi-judicial body to handle their labor disputes, thanks to a new measure filed by Sen. Raffy Tulfo.
Tulfo, chair of the Senate committee on migrant workers, introduced Senate Bill No. 1480, which aims to establish the Migrant Workers Relations Commission (MWRC). The goal? To speed up the resolution of OFW complaints and give them a fairer shot at justice.
“OFWs often face prolonged procedures under the current system,” Tulfo said, referring to the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC), which handles labor disputes for both local and overseas workers.
The NLRC, under the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), processes over 30,000 cases every year. With such a heavy workload, OFW complaints often get delayed, leaving workers waiting for months — even years — for resolution.
“While the NLRC is a vital organization, its broad mandate has caused backlogs, and OFWs bear the brunt of these delays,” Tulfo explained.
Under the proposed SB 1480, the MWRC would have exclusive jurisdiction over all labor cases involving Filipino migrant workers — whether they are land-based or sea-based, and even if they are covered by collective bargaining agreements.
The commission would be attached to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) for policy coordination and would consist of three divisions, each with three commissioners:
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A presiding commissioner from the public sector
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One commissioner nominated by migrant workers
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One commissioner nominated by private recruitment and manning agencies
By creating a body focused solely on OFWs, Tulfo hopes to cut through bureaucratic delays and ensure Filipino workers abroad can pursue justice swiftly and effectively.
“This measure is about giving our OFWs the protection and support they truly deserve,” he added.
For millions of Filipinos working overseas, this could mean faster resolutions, fairer hearings, and a real chance at justice.
