VICE President Jejomar Binay on Thursday has ordered two government agencies to suspend the implementation of the order that mandates the six-month advance contribution of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to the Home Development Mutual (Pag-IBIG) Fund. In a statement, Binay directed both the Pag-IBIG and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) “to conduct a thorough study and more consultations with the affected sectors.”
He said that there is a need to review the legal basis and propriety that compels OFWs to pay in advance the equivalent of their supposed six months worth of contribution, amounting to P600.
At present, the advance six-month payment is said to be a precondition for Filipino workers going abroad to work.
“What is important is that government should assist our OFWs and should not be seen as further imposing burdens on them,” Binay, chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and the Pag-IBIG Fund board of trustees, 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 added. “There are benefits to be derived from Pag-IBIG membership and this should be explained fully to our OFWs.”
On July 7, POEA issued memorandum circular 06, which mandates all outbound OFWs to pay six months worth of Pag-IBIG membership contributions.
Based on the circular, OFWs cannot be able to get their overseas employment certificate and leave the country unless they have paid the said amount.
As head of the Pag-IBIG Fund board of trustees, Binay assured OFWs that the matter would be given priority under his office. He added that the government would continue extending assistance to the OFWs “instead of being a burden to them.”
According to the statement, concerned migrant workers groups—Migrante, the Blas F. Ople Policy Center and associations of labor exporters—have questioned the POEA directive. –BERNICE CAMILLE V. BAUZON, Manila Times
September 18 –
International Equal Pay Day
“Increase wages now,
more than other cost items.
For widespread, practical equality!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands
#Report Corruption #SearchPosts #TakePicturesVideos
October –
Monthly Observances:
Industry and Commerce Safety Month
National Statistics Month
Local Government Month
Consumer Welfare Month
Cooperative Month
National Quality and Productivity Improvement Month
National Health and Wellness Tourism Month
National Indigenous Peoples Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 1: Elderly Filipino Week
Week 2: National Health Education Week
Local Government Week
National Mental Health Week
October 17-23:
National Week for Overcoming Extreme Poverty
October 18 – 24:
United Nations Week
Last Week:
Nurses’ Week
Consumers’ Protection Week
Week of the 4th Sunday:
Barrio Farmers’ Week
Daily Observances:
First Monday (Oct 4): Universal Children’s Day i
n the Philippines
Oct 5: National Teachers’ Day
Oct 10: Local Government Day
Third Thursday (Oct 14): Conflict Resolution Day
Oct 21: Tenants’ Emancipation day
Oct 24: United Nations Day
Oct 29: National Indigenous People’s Thanksgiving Day
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
