For workers in the Philippines, overseas jobs can be an excellent opportunity to provide for themselves and their families. But often, these jobs come with risks that can leave workers vulnerable and unprotected. That’s why the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) was created—to help protect Filipino overseas workers and ensure their welfare is taken care of even while working abroad. In this blog post, we’ll look at OWWA, how it works, and how it helps protect Filipino workers’ rights while away from home. We’ll also explore some of the challenges faced by OWWA in ensuring that adequate measures are in place to help protect Filipino overseas workers’ welfare around the globe.
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is an agency of the Philippine government that provides social and welfare services to Filipino workers abroad.
It was created in response to the growing number of Filipinos working overseas and the reports of abuse and exploitation faced by many.
The OWWA is tasked with promoting the welfare of Filipino workers abroad and providing them with assistance in emergencies.
It also works to prevent the illegal recruitment and trafficking of Filipino workers.
The OWWA has a 24-hour hotline that workers can call if they need assistance. It also operates a network of offices and representatives in various countries where Filipinos work.
What is the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration OWWA?
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is a Philippine government agency tasked with protecting and promoting the welfare of Filipino workers abroad. It provides financial assistance, insurance, and capacity-building programs to help workers adjust to new cultures and work environments. The OWWA also works closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs to assist in case of emergencies.
The POEA looks at the documents of people who want to work overseas and ensures that their contracts meet the standards and requirements for hiring Filipinos overseas. It also gives out Overseas Employment Certificates (OECs) to prove they have valid contracts to work abroad.
For documents to be processed more quickly, the POEA does the following:
Online services for recruitment and staffing agencies for New Hires
For these, licenced agencies that hire land-based and sea-based workers must send the employment documents of their new hires to the POEA over the Internet and pay the processing fees online. Some online services are the e-Payment System for Agency-Hired Workers, the Online Recruitment Application on Special Recruitment Authority (SRA), and the Letter of Authority. These services encourage paperless transactions, save time, make it easier to track updates and cost less.
Balik-Manggagawa (BM) Online Processing System
This web-based service allows the Balik-Manggagawa (BM) to apply online for an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) and print the approved OEC anywhere, at any time. The system is meant to make it easier for OFWs on vacation to get their OECs so they can return to their foreign employers or principals. On the first page of the system, there is a video that shows the BM how to use the facility.
OFWs on vacation who are returning to the same employer/principal and job site have a record in the POEA database and have been given an OEC/E-Receipt under the same employer/principal before they can use the BM Online Processing System.
On-site, the POLOs check overseas employment documents to ensure that the Job Orders are accurate and enough and that the terms and conditions of employment in the contractual arrangements are fair, respectable, and just according to Philippine Laws. This ensures that the host state’s labour and welfare programs laws are applied equally to migrant workers and overseas Filipinos.
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration jobs
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is a government agency that provides welfare services to Filipino workers abroad. It also works to protect their rights and promote their interests.
If you’re looking for a job helping Filipino workers abroad, a position at the OWWA could be a good fit. Positions at the OWWA include social workers, counsellors, and administrators.
Overseas Workers Welfare OWWA eligibility criteria
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) provides welfare services and benefits to Filipino workers who are deployed overseas.
To be eligible for OWWA benefits, workers must:
1. Be registered with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA);
2. Have a valid employment contract; and
3. Be covered by the OWWA membership fee.
Filipino workers who meet these criteria are automatically enrolled in the OWWA program and are entitled to the following benefits:
1. Pre-departure orientation seminar;
2. Overseas Filipino Workers’ emergency assistance fund;
3. Legal assistance fund; and
4. Reintegration program for returning workers.
What are the benefits of the OWWA?
The OWWA is a government organization that provides benefits and assistance to Filipino workers who are employed abroad. To avail of the benefits of OWWA, workers must first be registered members. They can register online or at any OWWA office. There is a one-time registration fee of Php1,200 for land-based workers and Php2,400 for sea-based workers.
Once registered, members are entitled to a wide range of benefits, including death and disability insurance, repatriation assistance, legal assistance, and educational and training programs.
The agency was created to protect Filipino workers’ rights and promote welfare. The OWWA offers a variety of benefits and services to its members, including:
-Financial assistance
-Insurance coverage
-Legal assistance
-Counseling services
-Training programs
-Job placement assistance
How to become a member of OWWA?
To become a member of OWWA, you must first be a Filipino citizen or a foreign national with a valid working visa in the Philippines. You must also be employed by a company that OWWA accredits. Lastly, you must contribute to the OWWA Fund for at least three months.
What are the services offered by OWWA?
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is a Philippine government agency that provides welfare services to Filipino workers employed abroad.
Some of the services offered by OWWA include:
– Financial assistance for repatriation in case of unemployment, natural disasters, or other emergencies
– Health and life insurance for Filipino workers abroad
– Legal assistance for workers facing problems with their employers
– Reintegration programs for returning workers
Conclusion
OWWA is an excellent resource for those looking to work abroad and serves as an invaluable safety net for overseas workers. OWWA provides insurance coverage, offers educational programs and seminars, has established branches in many countries worldwide, and gives financial assistance when needed. The OWWA Law also ensures that overseas workers receive fair treatment and compensation while working abroad. We hope you have found this article on Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) helpful in understanding what it does and why it’s essential.