Migration for employment has increasingly become a reality for peoples facing difficulties in finding adequate and promising development opportunities at home. The expansion of the global economy accompanied by policy shifts towards greater deregulation, trade liberalization and privatization has also led to the rise of the role of private employment agencies in enabling an environment for better jobs matching – locally, and between countries of origin and destination. Yet, the relentless growth of private recruitment industry, particularly in relation to overseas employment, has also unleashed a spate of rights abuses and exploitation experienced by migrant workers, mostly women.

This globally-recognized nexus prompted the world to introduce a set of standards that can better regulate as well as maximize the industry, while at the same time enhancing the global revolving door of migrant labor. For the Philippines, the Private Employment Agencies Convention, 1997 (No. 181) comes forward as a tool that has the potential to advance Decent Work in negotiating for fair and ethical labor deals for Overseas Filipino Workers. Hence, the call for ratification is more than just a business case; more importantly, it represents a moral imperative for all migration stakeholders. Towards that goal, this study that seeks to identify and provide plugging solutions for the gaps in the Philippine legal/regulatory framework is nothing less than an urgent step in the right direction.

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Title: A PARTICIPATORY GAP ANALYSIS ON CONVENTION 181: Towards Enhancing the Global Revolving Door for Overseas Filipino Workers
Researcher: Ronell J. Delerio