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Labor Code · Recruitment and Placement of Workers · Chapter I – General Provisions

Article 21

Foreign Service Role and Participation

Not amended

To provide ample protection to Filipino workers abroad, the labor attachés, the labor reporting officers duly designated by the Secretary of Labor and the Philippine diplomatic or consular officials concerned shall, even without prior instruction or advice from the home office, exercise the power and duty:

(a) To provide all Filipino workers within their jurisdiction assistance on all matters arising out of employment;

(b) To insure that Filipino workers are not exploited or discriminated against;

(c) To verify and certify as requisite to authentication that the terms and conditions of employment in contracts involving Filipino workers are in accordance with the Labor Code and rules and regulations of the Overseas Employment Development Board and National Seamen Board;

(d) To make continuing studies or researches and recommendations on the various aspects of the employment market within their jurisdiction;

(e) To gather and analyze information on the employment situation and its probable trends, and to make such information available; and

(f) To perform such other duties as may be required of them from time to time.

Editor’s notes from DOLE (1)

Superseded by R.A. No. 8042, “Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act,” which defines the role and responsibilities of the respective government agencies involved in the protection of OFWs. The law provides for the creation of the Legal Assistant for Migrant Workers' Affairs, and the Country-Team Approach as the mode under which Philippine embassies or their personnel will operate in the protection of the Filipino migrant workers and promotion of their welfare.

Text and numbering follow the Department of Labor and Employment's 2022 edition of Presidential Decree No. 442, as amended and renumbered under DOLE Department Advisory No. 01, series of 2015. Former article numbers are shown in brackets. Notes are DOLE's editorial notes. Amendments after that edition are not included. For information and research only, and not legal advice. For certified copies, refer to the Official Gazette or the issuing agency.