$50 contribution for distressed OFWs pushed
MANILA -- Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) will be required to pay $50 or around P2,100 as contribution to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (Owwa) Emergency Repatriation Fund before leaving the country, a lawmaker proposes.
Manila Representative Ma. Theresa Bonoan-David authored House Bill 6195 seeking to amend Republic Act (RA) 8042 or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995.
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The House measure provides that for every worker recruited or deployed overseas, the recruitment agency or its employer shall contribute $50 to Owwa's Emergency Repatriation Fund.
"The bill intends to provide the necessary measures for the government to carry out its responsibilities to assist distressed OFWs in cases of war, epidemic, disaster or calamities, natural or man-made, and other similar events, and promote their general welfare," Bonoan-David said.
RA 8042 has already created and established an Emergency Repatriation Fund under the administration, control and supervision of Owwa with an initial funding of P1 million.
"There are millions of OFWs all over the world which the Philippine government is mandated to protect and safeguard under RA 8042 but it seems incapable to efficiently help distressed OFWs due to financial constraints," Bonoan-David said.
Under the bill, distressed OFWs can be repatriated during wars, epidemics, disasters or calamities, natural or man-made, and other similar events.
The bill will also establish and maintain an up-to-date database and locator system of OFWs necessary for their repatriation, as well as the necessary disaster preparedness and mitigation measures. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)