DBPH Admin2 
IN a recent official visit to London, OFW Party List Representative Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino met with Filipino community leaders and was alarmed by the discovery that many undocumented Filipinos, particularly household service workers, are being exploited in the United Kingdom. The community leaders shared concerns about the growing number of undocumented Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who, without the backing of recruitment agencies, are vulnerable to abuse and exploitation.
According to these leaders, the Philippine embassy often becomes aware of these workers only after a crisis has occurred, with many of them living in precarious situations. Some workers, they revealed, did not come directly from the Philippines but from other countries where they had been legally employed before seeking better opportunities in the UK. This complicates the embassy’s ability to track their status or provide support.
A recent rescue operation in the UK, which freed several Filipino domestic workers from abusive conditions, underscores the gravity of the situation. These workers reported enduring physical violence, emotional abuse, and constant threats. One victim shared, “They treated us like slaves, expecting us to work 24 hours and obey without question.”
Rep. Magsino expressed concern over the situation, emphasizing the need for stronger protections and stricter oversight to prevent abuse of Overseas Filipino Workers. “These cases highlight the urgent need for enhanced protections and better oversight to safeguard our workers,” she said.
She assured the community leaders and Filipino workers in the UK that she would continue advocating for the protection of OFWs, emphasizing the importance of legal measures to locate and assist undocumented workers.
She also urged UK authorities to expedite protections for overseas workers, particularly through faster processing under the national referral mechanism, which currently takes an average of 941 days.
“Our workers deserve dignity and security wherever they work,” Rep. Magsino said. “My visit to the UK highlighted the critical need for international collaboration to protect the rights of Filipino workers abroad. We must ensure that they are not left vulnerable to exploitation.”
