Women Migrant and Social Protection Systems in The Philippines

Abstract

Women migrant workers from Philippines often face a variety of problems in the workplace, especially in overseas. For example, they face violence, sexual abuse, rape, extortion, and so on. Thus, social protection systems for women migrant workers in other countries are very important. In the Philippines, there are two social protection systems to improve social welfare for vulnerable populations. The two models of social protection are called health care system and social health insurance. Both social protection systems can be managed based on: (1) cultural value, (2) etablishment by financial institutions, (3) flexibility in implementation, (4) integratability of the scheme with the national health insurance system, (5) ability to create a high quality service. The condition of women migrant workers are more vulnerable than that of male workers. In addition, the social protection for women migrant workers is urgent and needs policies to protect them. The government of the Philippines emphasizes the problems related to the obligation of women migrant workers to have right information and guidance before they leave the country in order to minimize social problems. Finally, social protection is made not only in the Philippines but also by cooperation among countries to protect women migrant workers by making policies of social protection at local, national, regional, and international levels.