CEDAW/C/PHL/Q/7-8/Add.1 Measures taken to address the treatment and handling of cases of women migrant workers (pertaining to “2013 Sex for Flight Scandal”) 13.11 DOLE issued 2 memorandum circulars in 2013 on new corrective measures to strengthen the operations of Philippine Overseas Labour Offices (POLOs) and Migrant Workers and Other Filipino Resource Centre (MWOFRC), making it more gender-balanced/sensitive and values-oriented services. 13.12 More female welfare officers and administrative staff were deployed to handle migrant women’s concerns. Gender sensitivity training for those handling distressed workers included pre-departure training of all deployable/overseas officers. 13.13 A Joint Manual of Operations in Providing Assistance to Migrant Workers and Other Filipinos Overseas was issued in 2015 delineating the roles of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), DOLEDSWD and DOH. 14. Updates on the implementation of the labour agreement between the Philippines and Saudi Arabia (a) Whether implementing guidelines on the said agreement have been adopted and steps taken to ensure that there is effective monitoring of the said guidelines/agreement, and that migrant workers are informed of their rights 14.1 Joint Committee Meetings between the State Party and Saudi Arabia concerning the Agreement on Domestic Worker Recruitment is regularly conducted to monitor implementation. Updates include: • Bank accounts of workers opened through mega-recruitment companies. Other means explored is Philippine banks to open branches in Saudi or partnership with international banks. • Monitoring of day-off and rest day is a challenge for overseas officers due to huge number of workers which has increased six times. • Minimum salary of USD400 is monitored by POLOs. They would not approve or validate employment contracts if salary is below the minimum, and POEA would not issue Overseas Employment Certificate. No reports on non-compliance received. • A 24 hour-assistance facility already in place with a customer service line. Translation services being proposed to be provided. (b) Outcome of the (2013) review by POEA of the bilateral labour agreements of 20 destination countries of Filipino Migrant Workers, and other destinations 14.2 Nine (9) bilateral labour agreements in seven countries (Germany, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Papua New Guinea, Korea Switzerland and Italy) have been reviewed and signed, while 12 are still pending (UAE, Kuwait, Yemen, Iraq, Seychelles, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Indonesia, Mongolia, Malaysia, Russia). (c) Whether a “human-rights and gender-based” approach was ensured in the adoption of these agreements 14.3 Yes. The agreements considered international human rights standards and women’s right promotion and protection, given that they are the most vulnerable. The agreements provide redress to discriminatory practices and ensure that existing inequalities are analysed and resolved. 22/33 16-06662