An overseas Filipino workers group has strongly opposed a Manila congresswoman’s bill that could force Filipino workers going abroad to work to pay a $ 50 fee toward repatriation funds.
The cash would be used to top-up the government’s emergency repatriation funds, administered by the Philippines’ Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
Local reports said Theresa Bonoan-David is seeking to amend the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 2010 to include the charge.
John Leonard Monterona, Migrante Middle East regional coordinator, slammed Bonoan-David’s proposal. He said: “She may be misinformed because the issue is not about a lack of funds.
“The overseas Filipino workers’ (OFW) trust funds are substantial, and yet the OWWA do not have enough programs and welfare services for OFWs and their dependents.
“The OWWA has not been transparent with regard to the OFWs’ trust fund and how it is being spent."
Monterona said such a proposal was “anti-OFW”.
“For one, it is just an added burden to already overburdened OFWs.
“The proposal is also against the mandate of the Migrant Workers Act of 2010. Instead of imposing additional fees or charges upon our heavy shoulders, considering the huge contribution of OFWs in terms of yearly remittances, Representative Bonoan-David must give up and volunteer to channel her millions toward OWWA’s emergency repatriation fund.”
He added pro-OFW lawmakers should do the same.
Monterona said after learning about the proposal, Migrante would strongly campaign against its passage through the Philippines Congress.
He said: “We through our Migrante International leaders in Manila might seek dialogue with Bonoan-David so she can hear our position.
“If she insists on pushing the bill through, then we have no choice but to intensify our campaign against her proposal and we might campaign against her when she stands in the 2013 congressional election.”
Monterona said his group has been lobbying the government against imposing fees and charges that could burden OFWs.
He added: “In fact, this is one of the many challenges that we put forward to the government — to stop imposing additional fees and charges.
“We hope that Vice President Jejomar Binay, also the presidential adviser on OFW’s concerns, is on our side as we have heard him several times issuing statements against additional unnecessary fees and charges for our OFWs.”
