MANILA, Philippines—The proposal of the Department of Foreign Affairs to subject all departing overseas Filipino workers to psychiatric tests drew flak from a militant migrant group, which said the government move “essentially typecasts OFWs as lunatics.”Migrante International said it should be the DFA officials, not the OFWs, “who should have their heads examined if they really believe mandatory psychiatric tests could help prevent OFWs from snapping in the workplace.” “For the Arroyo government, those they have hailed as ‘bagong bayani (new heroes)’ are lunatics,” complained Connie Bragas-Regalado, Migrante chair said in a statement. Regalado said the DFA should realize that deplorable working conditions overseas; verbal, physical, emotional and sexual abuse; torture and non-payment of wages are major factors that drive OFWs to the brink of insanity. “By refusing to acknowledge these realities and by conveniently glossing over the fact that most of the time OFWs commit crimes to defend themselves, others are just plain victims of frame-up; the DFA, in essence, is condemning our OFWs,” Regalado said. The Migrante leader slammed Vice President Noli de Castro and DFA undersecretary for migrant workers affairs Esteban Conejos for even considering such “a preposterous and anti-migrant proposal,” adding, “It’s such a shame that those who are directly responsible for pushing migrants’ rights are the ones who are blind and deaf to the real issues OFWs face.” “If we’re to follow the DFA’s rationale, then OFWs like Sarah Balabagan, Mary Jane Ramos and Joselito Alejo are lunatics and not heroes as they were hailed when they arrived home after their ordeal overseas,” said Regalado, referring to OFWs who have been jailed for committing crimes, but escaped execution because they were eventually acquitted or pardoned. The Migrante leader said a change of view was needed for both De Castro, presidential adviser on OFWs, and Conejos, co-chair of the Global Forum on Migrants and Development that the Philippines will be hosting October 29-30 this year. Regalado said Migrante will join other migrant workers groups from other countries in a parallel International Assembly of Migrants and Refugees, set for October 28-29, to challenge the GFMD “to face up to the truth that migration can never lead to development.” | 
