|
By Arturo M. Pangilinan, Contributor
Congress, through the House
Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs, has taken the initiative to
enact new laws aimed at improving the lot of the overseas Filipino
workers (OFWs) and address problems that beset them.
Several proposed bills intended
to amend the present Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act to
protect the interest of the OFWs and to ensure their welfare were
taken up in the hearings conducted recently by the committee chaired
by the indefatigable Rep. Manuel “Waykurat” Zamora of
South Cotabato.
Among these is the bill authored
by Rep. Roilo Gomez of Parañaque to simplify and fast track
the processing of OFWs so they can depart smoothly, free of hassles
for their jobs abroad.
Golez presented a positive view
of overseas employment in his sponsorship speech, citing Greece
whose economy at a critical stage of development was sustained by
its overseas workers.
Although overseas employment
should not be a long-term strategy for economic development,
Golez said it should not be looked down upon since the jobs it gives
OFWs help them provide for their families, and assure foreign
exchange earnings for them to help stabilize the economy.
The hearings were attended by
resource persons from the government and private sectors and
non-government organizations, prompted by House resolutions
inquiring on OFW concerns and problems. These include the
overcharging of OWWA membership fee, excessive fees imposed on OFWs
for document processing and medical examination, slow processing,
and delays in departure due to lack of airline flights.
Rep. Edcel Lagman of Albay,
castigated the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration for
overcharging membership fees incurred with the appreciation of
Philippine peso. OWWA now collects more than $25 per OFW.
Lagman said that it took OWWA a
year before it reacted and came out with an automatic adjustment
scheme for the peso-dollar exchange, and issued credit memorandum
that will entitle the OFWs with extended or additional membership
coverage of three months.
Reps. Magtanggol Gunigundo and
Eduardo Zialcita decried the exorbitant fees that the OFWs are made
to pay. They said that from the time a worker applies for an
overseas job up to the time he is able to depart, he has to pay
several fees that he often cannot afford.
The concern was validated by Jun
Aguilar, a former OFW representing the Filipino Migrant Workers
Group, who told the committee that a household worker must shell out
from P5,796 to a maximum of P11,320 to obtain required papers and
documents like birth certificate, NBI clearance, medical
certificate, passport and others.
Arturo Pangilinan is
secretary-general of the Federated Associations of Manpower
Exporters, an alliance of labor recruitment agencies.
|
