complainants lamenting about their situation in the WPP that they not only were unable to work, they have also lost their freedom. Actions pertaining to sex for flight should not be forgotten and laid to rest on the basis of charges having been filed against one Labor Attaché and women complainants placed under the DOJ’s WPP. The State, being the primary duty bearer in the protection of the rights of migrant workers and in ensuring non-discrimination in accordance with CEDAW should exercise political will in pursuing the investigation and the prosecution of those involved in the sex-for-flight issue. The women-survivors/complainants in the sex-for-flight case are among the most vulnerable among migrant workers, they are migrant workers in distress and as such, they were seeking the assistance of the State through the POLO. To be victims of violence at the hands of public officials in such state of vulnerability is such an outrage that nothing less than a full and thorough investigation on the issue, availing the vast apparatus of the State, is expected. Recommendation 9. Comprehensive study on the situation of children of migrant workers Recommendations 11. Declarations provided for in articles 76 & 77 of the Convention Recommendation Steps undertaken by the State on the issue of sex-for –flight including the conduct of legislative inquiry, the filing of administrative and criminal charges and the admission of the women-survivors to the witness protection program are positive steps which facilitate access to justice. Considering that the case remains pending, the same should be closely monitored towards its conclusion. The Commission recommends the issuance of a concluding statement from the Committee requesting information on the steps taken by the State to ensure thorough investigation, prosecution and monitoring of cases related to the ‘sex-for flight’ issue and measures undertaken to facilitate access to justice for the women-complainants. The State has not undertaken nor supported a comprehensive study on the situation of children of migrant workers. Studies cited in the State report were independent undertakings of NGOs/CSOs and academics. There are complaints from abandoned families of OFWs unable to seek the support they are entitled by law, and these are reflected in the cases for legal assistance sought with the Commission. On the reverse, women OFWs also express concern on the management of resources/remittances, cases of infidelity and psychological and physical abuse from their husbands105. In order to provide a comprehensive and grounded response to the issues faced by children of migrant workers, the State should undertake its own comprehensive study or support a study to be undertaken by partner NGOs. The State should likewise develop a comprehensive program for the protection and promotion of the rights of families and children of OFW. On abandoned families and taking into account the difficulty faced by these families in seeking support from OFW family members obliged under the law to provide support, it is recommended that a concluding statement be issued requiring the State to provide information on the efforts are undertaken to aid abandoned families in seeking support from OFW family members. Additionally, it is recommended that the State be advised to include in its programs and services for families left behind counselling and financial literacy. Prior to deployment, family counselling should also be included to prepare the OFW family members for migration, including financial management. It is the view of the Commission that the State should agree to a communications procedure. If it is to uphold its claim to be a global model in migration, the ratification of the communications procedure is a demonstration of this assertion. The communications procedure will also provide a broader access to justice by Filipino migrant workers, their family members left behind as well as migrant workers that the Philippines hosts. 105 CHR list of Migrant Workers’ cases from Jannuary 2009-January 2014 107

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