Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 9422)
Republic Act No. 9422 aims to strengthen the regulatory functions of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) by amending the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995 (Republic Act No. 8042).
RA 9422 amends Section 23, paragraph (b.1) to expand the powers and functions of the POEA to regulate private sector participation in recruitment and overseas placement of Filipino workers by setting up a licensing and registration system, and to instruct and guide migrant workers about their rights as workers and human beings.
The POEA must formulate and implement a system for promoting and monitoring the overseas employment of Filipino workers, taking into consideration their welfare and the domestic manpower requirements.
The POEA is tasked with informing migrant workers of their rights as workers and human beings, instructing and guiding them on how to assert their rights, and providing mechanisms to redress violations of their rights.
The POEA shall deploy Filipino workers only to countries where the Philippines has concluded bilateral labor agreements or arrangements, provided these countries guarantee protection of rights of Filipino migrant workers and comply with international laws and standards for migrant workers.
Sections 29 and 30 of RA 8042 were repealed by RA 9422.
All laws, orders, issuances, rules, or regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with RA 9422 are repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
If any portion or provision of RA 9422 is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other portions or provisions shall not be affected (severability clause).
RA 9422 took effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least two newspapers of general circulation.
RA 9422 was approved by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on April 10, 2007.