⚖️ Legal Rights & Information
Know your rights as an Overseas Filipino Worker in Europe
Your Fundamental Rights
💼 Employment Rights
- Right to a written employment contract
- Fair wages and overtime pay
- Maximum working hours regulations
- Paid annual leave and holidays
- Safe working conditions
- Protection from unfair dismissal
🛡️ Protection Rights
- Protection from discrimination
- Freedom from harassment
- Right to join labor unions
- Access to grievance procedures
- Protection of personal documents
- Right to change employers (conditions apply)
🏥 Social Rights
- Access to healthcare
- Social security benefits
- Maternity/paternity leave
- Sick leave entitlements
- Workers’ compensation
- Pension rights
📄 Documentation Rights
- Keep your original passport
- Copy of employment contract
- Work permit documentation
- Payslips and wage records
- Social security documentation
- Access to your personnel file
⚠️ Warning Signs of Exploitation
🚫 Contract Violations
- Employer keeps your passport
- Working conditions differ from contract
- Wages lower than agreed
- Excessive working hours
- No days off
🚫 Abusive Practices
- Physical or verbal abuse
- Confinement or movement restriction
- Threats of deportation
- Withholding wages
- Sexual harassment
Important Documents to Keep
📋 Employment Documents
- Original employment contract
- Job offer letter
- OEC (Overseas Employment Certificate)
- POEA-approved contract
- Company ID
🆔 Personal Documents
- Valid passport (original with you)
- Work permit/visa
- Birth certificate (authenticated)
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Educational certificates
💳 Financial Documents
- Bank account details
- Payslips (keep all copies)
- Tax documents
- Insurance policies
- Remittance receipts
Where to Get Legal Help
🏛️ Philippine Embassy
Your first point of contact for legal issues. They can:
- Provide legal counseling
- Refer you to lawyers
- Assist with documentation
- Mediate with employers
- Help with repatriation if needed
👨⚖️ Legal Aid Organizations
Many European countries offer free legal aid:
- Local labor unions
- Migrant worker support NGOs
- Pro bono legal clinics
- Government legal aid offices
- Community legal centers
📞 OFW Europe Legal Support
We can help you:
- Understand your rights
- Review your contract
- Find legal representation
- Document violations
- Connect with support services