BY TOMAS ACHACOSO MANAGING ORGANIZED RECRUITMENT MOSCOW. MAY 2011

Transcription

1 WELFARE SERVICES BY TOMAS ACHACOSO MANAGING ORGANIZED RECRUITMENT MOSCOW. MAY 2011

2 Institutions and Structures Providing Support Services to Labour Migrants In the Home Country Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Accredited Training and Assessment Centers Department of Health (DOH) and Accredited Health Clinics and Facilities Philhealth medical insurance Department of Foreign Affairs Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (OUMWA)

3 Institutions and Structures Providing Support Services to Labour Migrants At Worksite Philippine Embassies and Consulates DOLE Philippine Overseas Labor Office OWWA Welfare Office DOH Doctors and Nurses Department of Social Welfare and Development Counselors (in select countries) National Housing Authority Counselors (in select countries) Diaspora and Filipino communities Non governmental organizations

4 WELFARE SERVICES Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) - membership welfare institution tion organized to protect the interest of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) by: providing social and welfare services including insurance, social work and legal assistance, cultural and remittance services. ensuring the efficient collection of the welfare fund contributions from employers of OFWs and the sustainable management of this fund through sound and judicious investment policies. undertaking research and studies to enhance the social, economic and cultural well-being of its members supporting and financing specific projects for the benefit of the overseas Filipino workers.

5 Benefits and Services for OWWA Members Insurance and Health-Care Benefits Life Insurance. Life insurance for the duration of his employment contract. The coverage includes P100, for natural death and P200, for accidental death. Disability and Dismemberment Benefits. Entitlement to disability/dismemberment benefits as a rider provision of his life insurance. Total Disability Benefit Burial Benefit

6 Benefits and Services for OWWA Members Loan Guarantee Fund Pre-Departure Loan. For ready-to-leave, newly hired OFWs whose employers or agents have already paid the compulsory membership contribution to OWWA. For pre-departure needs such as payment of placement fees, clothing requirements, pocket money, and other pre- departure expenses. Family Assistance Loan. Available for emergency and family needs as endorsed by the member.

7 Benefits and Services for OWWA Members Education and Training i Benefits Scholarship programs for the member or his duly designated beneficiary (subject to a selection process and accreditation of participating institutions): Skills-for-Employment Scholarship Program. For technical or vocational training scholarship. Education for Development Scholarship Program for Baccalaureate Courses. Seafarers Upgrading Program for Sea-based Members. Sea-based members shall be entitled to one upgrading program for every three (3) membership contributions.

8 Benefits and Services for OWWA Members Social Services and Family Welfare Assistance Repatriation Program. Negotiation with employers and recruitment agents for the repatriation of distressed OFWs, human remains and belongings and coordination with families. Reintegration Program. Department of Labor and Employment program which includes community organizing, business counseling, networking with other support institutions, capability-building, social preparation programs and livelihood and enterprise development loans.

9 Workers Assistance and On-Site Services Information and counseling services prior to departure Pre-Employment Orientation Seminar (PEOS) as an optional educational strategy to strengthen the decision-making process of a prospective migrant worker: aims to prepare individuals who are just considering the prospects of working overseas gives them an overview of the overseas employment programme, the benefits and pitfalls of working abroad and the numerous steps to take and documents required for application informs them of the proper way of applying, who the licensed recruitment agencies are, the modus operandi of illegal recruiters and the various government services and programmes available at their disposal.

10 Workers Assistance and On-Site Services Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) is mandatory educational program designed to assist successful candidates prior to their actual deployment. Candidates are given information on: laws and procedures cultural l idiosyncrasies i and practices of the host country rights and responsibilities protection and recourse in case of emergencies psychosocial effects of working abroad and separation from family.

11 Workers Assistance and On-Site Services Republic Act 8042 also known as the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995 requires the Philippine government to establish Filipino Workers Resource Centers within Philippine Embassy premises in countries where there is a high concentration of Filipino workers located.

12 Policy and Legal Framework for Labor Migration RA amended RA 8042 in 2010 and introduced the following additional measures for the protection of labor migrants: A system for certification by the Philippine Missions abroad attesting to the existence of the specific measures which protect the rights of migrants. Institutionalized the joint and several liability of Employer and recruitment agency for complaints by OFWs involving employer-employee e p oyee relationship which shall be incorporated in the employment contract.

13 Policy and Legal Framework for Labor Migration RA10022, cont. Institutionalized the conduct of information program for migrant workers by POEA, not only on their rights as workers but also on their human rights, and instruct and guide them on how to assert their rights and provide mechanism to redress violation of such rights. Intensify anti-illegal recruitment program and provide comprehensive PEOS that discusses the prevention of illegal recruitment and the issue of gender sensitivity; Provided dfor compulsory insurance for migrant workers at the employers and recruitment agencies cost; Renders government officials i criminally i liable for neglect of duty to protect migrant workers.

14 Workers Assistance and On-Site Services Filipino Workers Resource Centers provide: legal counseling conciliation or mediation of labor disputes conciliation or mediation of labor disputes welfare assistance in areas such as repatriation of distressed OFWs medical assistance custodial assistance

15 Policy and Legal Framework for Labor Migration Other laws that t enhance the protection ti and ensure the rights and welfare of OFWs and Overseas Filipinos: i Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003 Anti-trafficking In Persons Act of 2003 Citizenship Retention And Reacquisition Act of 2003 Balikbayan Act of 1989

16 THANK YOU!