Too much work takes toll on OFWs in Milan

MILAN, Italy – The Philippine Labor Office in Milan is concerned about overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) whose health and career advancement are affected by misplaced priorities.

Many OFWs based in Italy, particularly those illegally working in the country, are juggling 3 to 4 jobs that are not even covered by any health insurance and other benefits.

They are preoccupied with remitting money to their loved ones back in the Philippines that they tend to forget their own state of health.

Labor Attache Anabelle Oliveros said sometimes, it’s too late when an OFW realizes that he or she is very sick.

There are some who do not save for themselves, and when they die, they cannot even bear the cost of repatriation because they did not contribute to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

Oliveros is currently implementing various information programs that would help OFWs in areas related to business, financial literacy and computer skills.

She added that OFWs need to give time to the programs to further expand their horizons.

Likewise, Oliveros is implementing free medical and dental missions in northern Italy. Based on their research, many OFWs in Italy are suffering from hypertension, diabetes and heart problems. Danny Buenafe, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau chief