58 Filipino teachers in Brunei oriented on PHL labor services

Some 58 Filipino teachers in Brunei attended an orientation conducted by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) about the government services they can avail of while working abroad.

An article posted on the website of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on November 8 said the orientation was meant to inform teachers about the labor and welfare services for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

“The purpose of the visit/briefing was to provide the teachers with basic knowledge/updates on Embassy programs and services, particularly on labor and welfare services, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)/Social Security Service (SSS)/Pag-ibig membership coverage,” the DFA said.

The orientation was held at St. George’s School in Brunei on October 30.

The resource speakers during the briefing included Labor Attaché Elizabeth Recio, Welfare Officer Zenaida Ramos, SSS Representative Marivic Rutor, and Pag-IBIG representative Arlina Feliciano.

During her talk, Recio discussed POLO’s major programs and services.

She cited Republic Act 10022 and other current Philippine policies on:
# improving the standards of protection for OFWs in distress;
# on-site verification or visits to companies;
# pre-qualification/accreditation needed for employment agencies;
# measures to curb possible illegal recruitment;
# requirements for returning OFWs; and
# issuance of Oveseas Exit Clearance (OECs), to facilitate exit from the Philippines and exempt OFWs from paying travel tax and airport fees.

Recio also presented the principles and practices on Personal Financial Management and the new formula on savings toward financial independence by financial “guru” Francisco Colayco.

Meanwhile, Ramos discussed the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) programs and benefits. These include:

# Subsidized medical and hospitalization services for distressed OFWs;

# Disability, dismemberment, and death benefits, aside from what was stipulated in the OFWs employment contract;

# Education and training benefits;

# Workers assistance and on-site programs (such as skills training/livelihood, counseling services, conciliation of cases, visitation of sick OFWs in hospitals, assistance in the repatriation of distressed workers and human remains);

# Legal assistance in pursuing justice for the OFWs, and

# Livelihood loan programs for OFWs who want to go into business.

Ramos encouraged the Filipino teachers to support the Philippine Embassy’s programs, manage their family finances, and maintain strong family ties to serve as role models for other OFW families.

Meanwhile, Rutor informed the participants on SSS program and benefits.

She emphasized the need for members to continue paying up to at least 120 contributions to qualify them for lifetime retirement pay plus year-end bonus.

She also cited the SSS’ maternity, sickness, partial or total disability, death, and funeral benefits.

She likewise mentioned various SSS loan packages and investment to their Flexi fund.

Rutor also encouraged OFWs to continue paying their monthly contributions until the age of 60 years or 65 years old to continue enjoying these benefits and receive pensions. –VVP, GMANews.TV

Feliciano discussed Philippine Republic Act 9679, requiring all overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to join the Pag-IBIG and enjoy its benefits such as savings with tax-free dividends, low interest housing loans, salary loans, and calamity loans for eligible members.