OFWs spending more for govt fees but receiving less services?

A migrant workers advocacy group claimed that overseas Filipino workers (OFW) are paying more for government fees during the Aquino administration but are allegedly receiving less services.

In a news release on Tuesday, Migrante International said under the Aquino administration, the pre- and post-departure fees imposed on OFWs have increased but services are still far from satisfactory.
 

In 2010, an OFW who leaves the country must first shell out P18,000 for various pre-departure fees. However, Migrante said that amount has now reached P26,267, including:

 

• 76 signatures (for different types of document requirements): P7,600
• POEA fee (for new hires): P7,500
• Mandatory insurance coverage (minimum premium USD$144): P6,192
• E-passport fee (minimum): P1,200
• Philhealth (minimum): P1,200
• OWWA fee (USD$25): P1,075
• Medicare: P900
• Pag-IBIG mandatory contribution: P600

 

Garry Martinez, chairperson of Migrante said: “If 4,500 OFWs leave daily to work abroad, the government earns an average P118 million a day, or roughly P43.14 billion yearly, from processing fees and other costs shouldered by OFWs!”
 

“These do not yet include other fees and tax schemes imposed on OFWs, such as the affidavit of support in UAE, Macau and some parts of Europe” he added.
 

GMA News Online has contacted Malacañang and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for comment on the Migrante statement but has not yet received a reply as of posting time.

 

From bad to worse?
 

Despite the fee increases, the welfare services for OFWs have gone from bad to worse, Migrante alleged.
 

“Unresolved cases of OFWs continue to pile up at the Philippine Oversees Employment Administration, National Labor Relations Commission and Department of Foreign Affairs,” he said.
 

“OFWs are plagued with an assortment of issues and problems throughout the entire migration cycle yet the Aquino government has barely done any decisive action to support and protect its migrant workers and their families,” he added. - VVP, GMA News