OFW Chronicles: Filipinos Abroad

Good news for Filipinos who are just about to embark on a journey and becoming OFWs. It's about time that our "benevolent" lawmakers in the Philippines give some importance to what the government keeps on calling "Bagong Bayani". This a very significant and relevant bill for future OFWs and their families. I know how hard it is to find substantial amount to spend on processing expenses before you can even leave the country, much more for the living expenses of the family that will be left behind.

The Philippine Government particularly OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration) which is the lead institution that serves the interest and welfare of member-Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) has come up with a program which main purpose is to help and Finance some livelihood programs of OFW and their families through Financial Loans. Please see below the description and the criteria for the said program.

So it is, OFWs keep on making the Philippine Economy afloat and as if it’s not enough, OFWs must pay so that the Philippine government can extend assistance to the distressed Filipinos working abroad. That is according to the “Idea” of Manila Rep. Ma. Theresa Bonoan-David ( Para sa Emergency Repatriation Fund: OFWs, sisingilin ng $50 bago umalis ). I don’t know how many OFWs know about the OWWA fund, and I guess only a few of them have benefitted from it, in one way or the other. Personally I don’t even know where all those money are being spent except one program I came across with “ OWWA LOANS ".

And so I thought I can relax in the Airport’s boarding lounge (I was wrong). A long line in the entrance, I finally got through then x-rays, done. Luggage checked-in, no hassles, 27kg exact weight. Another long line for OWFs where OEC are being checked (It’s nice to have some privilege as an OFW, airport’s fee and travel tax exemption), it took me 30 minutes or more then finally my turn. I handed over my passport together with the boarding pass and the precious “OEC” (Overseas Employment Certificate).

Image via Wikipedia I was soaking myself in the twitter-verse when a twit from an organization for OFW caught my attention and it goes like this. “Listen to this. NO OFW SHOULD BE TREATED THIS WAY! Verbal abuse from RP Labor Attache to HK Romulo Salud” – KAKKAMPI At first I thought it was just one of the usual cases of abuses against Filipino Overseas Workers until I read the final part of the sentence. It has a link going to a Youtube video and so I watched it, My God! I was so struck with the video (How I wish I was star-struck like I do when I am watching Charice’s videos) according to the video (actually it’s more of an audio recording) which the up-loader captioned. In the recording you can hear two distinct voices, a woman with soft low voice explaining herself to this authoritative guy who is shouting and saying things in such a sarcastic way as "Anong karapatan? Wag mong gagamitin sa akin ang karapatan. Ako, me karapatan din ako. Wag mong gagamitin ang salitang karapa...

Image via Wikipedia Kuwait will soon follow the footsteps of Bahrain. The sponsorship system for foreign workers soon will be abolished. According to an article that appeared in Arab Times Online, the Minister of Social Affairs and Labour in Kuwait, Mohammed al-Afasi was quoted “This will be our gift to foreign workers on the anniversary of Kuwait’s liberation" from seven months of Iraqi occupation in 1991.” This is good news indeed for OFW’s currently working in Kuwait. My hope is that other countries in the Middle East will soon follow like Qatar and the UAE so that Expatriates can have chances in finally landing on a job worthy of their efforts, skills and sacrifices particularly our fellow OFW’s who are known for their skills and good work ethics (without facebook of course). If that would happen certainly Filipinos here in Qatar and other part of Middle East can really bargain for their salaries as they have the freedom to look for high paying jobs. Other countries are p...

I am not an expert in Finance but there is one thing I know, the continuing appreciation of Philippine Peso over The US Dollars is affecting us OFW really bad. I have asked my wife just the other day if the prices of basic commodities back in the Philippines are declining, the answer is a big NO. Therefore I would assume that us OFW doesn't have any direct nor indirect benefits from this high value of Php.