Departing OFWs complain of forced deduction from Pag-Ibig fund

Hundreds of departing overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) complained of forced deduction from Pag-Ibig fund despite an order by Vice President and housing czar Jejomar Binay suspending the six-month advance contribution of OFWs to the housing fund.

Departing OFWs whined that they were being off-loaded at the airport after failing to present receipts of Pag-Ibig fund to the immigration counter which they claimed is not part of the required travel document.

Binay is chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and chairs the Board of Trustees of Pag-Ibig Fund.

Binay, however, assured the OFWs that the matter will be given priority by his office. He said the government will continue providing assistance to the OFWs instead of being a burden to them.

Binay earlier had ordered the two agencies to review the legal basis and propriety of compelling OFWs to pay in advance the equivalent of six months contribution, or P600, as precondition to their departure.

Close to 100 Filipino travelers, mostly OFWs, are being prevented from leaving the country everyday, according to the Bureau of Immigration.

An average of 3,000 Filipinos are prevented by immigration officers from leaving the country every month for failing to show proof that they are legitimate workers while others have no proper travel documents or work permits.

“What is important is that government should assist our OFWs and should not be seen as further imposing burdens on them,” he said.

“Aside from reviewing the legal basis for the order, the concerned government agencies should hold more consultations with the affected sectors. There should be transparency in the process,” he said.

“There are benefits to be derived from Pag-Ibig membership and this should be explained fully to our OFWs,” he added.

POEA Memorandum Circular No. 06, Series of 2010 issued last July 7 mandates all out-bound OFWs to pay six months’ worth of Pag-Ibig membership contribution. They will not be able to get their Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) and leave the country unless they have paid the amount.

Concerned migrant workers groups, among them Migrante and the Ople Policy Center, as well as associations of labor exporters, have questioned the directive. –Jerrylyn Barcelo, Daily Tribune