JEDDAH, 27 March — Here’s a tip for Overseas Filipino Workers on how to avoid unnecessarily getting high blood pressure: while on vacation in the Philippines, bring at least 2,275 pesos when applying for an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC).

The tip comes from several OFWs who were confronted with the increase in payment while securing an OEC from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) in Manila.

The total amount covers 1,275 pesos as membership fee with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), 100 pesos for the regular OEC fee, and 900 pesos for OWWA medical insurance for those who are not PhilHealth members.

PhilHealth members, however, have to show proof of payment of premium for at least one year.

After receiving numerous complaints from returning OFWs, Arab News made a check with the POEA headquarters in Manila last month.

It turned out that the OWWA and POEA started implementing the mandatory membership fee in early December without making any advance announcement.

The mandatory fee is covered in a memorandum dated Nov. 28, 2001 and signed by POEA Administrator Rosalinda Dimapilis Baldoz and OWWA Administrator Wilhelm D. Soriano.

It applies to both those who are being deployed abroad for the first time or to the so-called balik manggagawa.

OFWs whose contracts last from one year or less have to renew their membership every year, according to OWWA personnel. For those who whose contracts last for two years or more, renewal is done every two years.

After paying all the fees mentioned above, the OFW is issued a Certificate of Coverage as proof of OWWA membership.

As shown in the certificate, the member is entitled to the following benefits:

1. Death — 50,000 pesos; the amount is doubled if death is caused by accident.

2. Funeral grant (burial expenses) — 20,000 pesos.

3. Disability — 2,500 to 50,000 pesos. The amount to be given depends on the nature of disability. For instance, a member who loses an eye would be given a bigger amount than one who loses a finger.

4. Medical reimbursement (for accidents and work-related illnesses) — P2,000 to P10,000.

The other benefits include coverage of the government’s reintegration program and loan assistance.

OFWs who get "distressed" or stranded abroad are entitled to assistance on repatriation, legal, educational and "onsite services."

Most of the OFWs interviewed by Arab News at the POEA building said they did not have any objection to the fee except for the stealth in which it was implemented.

"Nakaka-high blood naman! I thought this (membership fee) had been shelved?" said one nurse working in Kuwait, who gave her name only as Pina.

Dennis Eco, who works in Jeddah, said: "I have no problem with this fee but why have they not put at least a sign outside so that we would be forwarned?"

Eco, who went to get his OEC in early January, told of several OFWs engaging in verbal exchanges with POEA and OWWA personnel just because of the surprise requirement.

"One woman was so angry because she came all the way from Bulacan to the POEA, only to be told that her money was not enough to secure her a certificate," Eco recalled.

"The intention is good but why did they have to do this in a sneaky manner?" asked one seaman who refused to identify himself to Arab News.

To justify the latest imposition, OWWA personnel say the fee is nothing new.

In their memorandum, Baldoz and Soriano said the fee is pursuant to Presidential Decree Nos. 1694 and 1809, which were implemented by Memorandum of Instruction Nos. 008, Series of 1995, and 007, Series of 1996.

The OWWA first tried to enforce the membership fee, which is equivalent to $25, in 1998 but this was halted amid protests by OFWs, particularly those in Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia.

During the presidency of Joseph Estrada, OWW chief Eleuterio Gardiner did not make any serious attempt to implement the fee because of objections from abroad.

Soriano never conducted any consultation with OFW groups.

Soriano, who was OWWA chief during the presidency of Fidel Ramos, was restored to his position by President Gloria Arroyo in exchange for his not opposing House Speaker Jose de Venecia in the May 2001 congressional elections.