Today, the Philippine Embassy in The Hague finally provided financial assistance to the 11 Filipino migrant workers trafficked, exploited, and abused by Saints and Stars Gym. This small step came only after the workers themselves, together with their supporters and the Filipino community in the Netherlands, waged a determined struggle to demand what is rightfully theirs.
We emphasize, however, that this assistance is not charity. It is, first and foremost, an obligation of the Philippine government to protect and support overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), who contribute billions of pesos in annual remittances and sustain up to 9% of the country’s GDP. The assistance provided today, while offering temporary relief, is not even enough to cover one month’s basic living expenses in the Netherlands. For the 11 Pinoy workers who have endured months of exploitation, uncertainty, and hardship, this is far too little, too late. Sustained and adequate support is needed until these workers achieve full justice.
We also challenge the Department of Foreign Affairs’ statement that the case of the 11 Filipino workers is “unusual” in the Netherlands. This is far from the truth. Over the years, there have been several documented and undocumented cases of Filipino workers here who have been trafficked, underpaid, or abused – cases that the Philippine Embassy either did not get involved in or, worse, never even knew about. Such exploitation is not an isolated case. It is part of a pattern rooted in the systemic vulnerabilities migrant workers face in Europe and elsewhere.
The reality is that migrants in distress will only increase in the coming years, as anti-migrant hysteria and repressive immigration laws intensify in the Netherlands and across Europe. This will create even harsher conditions for Filipino migrants, many of whom are forced abroad by the lack of decent jobs at home. The Philippine government must always be ready to act swiftly and decisively, not wait until the cases explode into public scandal before lifting a finger.
This recent victory shows that when migrant workers unite, speak out, and demand their rights, they can compel the government to act. The Philippine government must now match the courage of our 11 kababayans with consistent, proactive measures not only in this case but in every instance where Filipinos face abuse and injustice abroad.
We call on all other Filipino migrants facing exploitation and abuse to speak up, unite, and fight both the exploitative corporations that profit from their labor and the neglect of the Philippine government.
