U.S. State Dep’t, PH envoys address domestic workers’ rights

U.S. State Department Chief of Protocol Nan Kelley and Elizabeth Art joined the A3/G5 domestic workers for a webinar on their rights and responsibilities. CONTRIBUTED

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A recent virtual forum for Filipino domestic workers employed by various embassies, as well as members of the diplomatic corps, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, addressed questions and concerns about domestic workers employment contracts.

The webinar, hosted by Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO-WDC), covered concerns of interest to  domestic workers employed under special work visa programs, specifically the A3 and G5 visa programs.

This developed as the Philippine Embassy, through POLO-WDC, received at least three requests for assistance and intervention from Filipino domestic workers regarding their salaries and complaints against abusive employers.

US State Department Assistant Chief of Protocol for Diplomatic Affairs Nan Kelley explained  the rights and responsibilities of domestic workers under these visa programs.

“We want to be sure that A-3 and G-5 visa holders know they have rights in the United States, and that if they need help, there are resources available to provide assistance,” Kelley said.

Her office also encouraged the attendees to either contact them directly for all concerns regarding their employment or seek the intervention of the Philippine Embassy or POLO.

Consul General Iric Arribas also assured support and assistance from the Philippine Embassy and POLO-WDC, especially on matters concerning their personal security and well-being.

“We underscore the importance of continued collaboration between the Philippine Embassy and the US Department of State to educate our Filipino domestic workers of their rights in the United States and the Philippines and ultimately to protect the latter from any form of abuse,” Arribas stressed.

“As this webinar is being in the same month that the Trafficking Victims Protection Act was passed in the United States, all the agencies here present in this webinar commit to provide help, assistance and support to those who are victims or are potential victims of trafficking, including labor trafficking,” POLO-WDC Labor Attaché Angela Trinidad added in her closing statement.