OFWs paying higher fees for 'unsatisfactory' services?

By ANDREI MEDINA, GMA News

Published July 12, 2012 6:00pm

(UPDATED 8:00 P.M.) - A migrant workers advocacy group claimed that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are paying more for government fees during the Aquino administration for services that are "unsatisfactory."

In a news release on Tuesday, Migrante International said under the Aquino administration, the pre- and post-departure fees imposed on OFWs have increased by 46 percent but services are still far from satisfactory.

However, in an interview with GMA News Online on Thursday, Greg Rulloda, Vice President for the Philhealth Corporate Affairs Group, said, “Hindi po ganoon.”

“Pinadali, pinalawak at pinalaki ang benefits,” Rulloda, said citing a recent enhancement of PhilHealth childbirth benefits. Rulloda earlier told GMA News Online that the new PhilHealth benefits included prenatal, maternity, and newborn care benefits. The benefits can also now be claimed nationwide. “Tawag namin dito is ‘portability,’ kahit saang accredited hospital or professional ay pwede magpagamot. Even an OFW abroad who needs medical assistance can avail of this although he or his employer has to shoulder the expenses first,” Rulloda said. “Sana po alalahanin ng ating mga kababayan ang kahalagahan ng kalusugan hindi lang ng sarili kung hindi pati ng pamilya. Sa pagsali sa PhilHealth, nakakasiguro ka sa kalusugan ng pamilya,” he said.

According to Migrante's news release, 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

These data were based on a private research by Migrante, according to Sarah Maramag, Campaign Coordinator of the group.

She also corrected the numbers, stating that the Medicare fee should be removed and that total placement fee should amount to P25,367 instead of P26,267.

*The data entry for the E-passport, Philhealth and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) were verified by GMA News Online. However, not all the figures cited by Migrante could be independently verified by GMA News Online.

In the news release, 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. Asked about the supposed higher fees imposed on OFWs, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte told GMA News Online on Thursday: "I cannot comment at this time until I see that there has been an increase and until I understand what the rationale behind the increase is, if any." "I will have to check that figure. I understand that there is a bill pending in Congress which was withdrawn para daw po itaas ‘yung mga fees that are collected but I am not quite sure kung ano na po…," she said. Valte said the Palace will check with OWWA and POEA "if there has been indeed an increase in the fees that they asked from the OFWs."

GMA News Online has also contacted 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. Maramag cited the higher number of cases of distressed OFWs. “Tumaas ang bilang ng hawak naming cases. From 1,500 cases per year in 2010 to 4,500 in 2011. “For the first time under a presidency, four ang nabitay on death row in the span of two years,” she added. Meanwhile, Reynaldo Tayag, officer-in-charge of the OWWA Advocacy and Social Marketing Division, disputed Migrante's claim. “That’s not true,” Tayag told GMA News Online on Thursday when asked about Migrante's claim that “services for OFWs have gone from bad to worse.”

“So far, in our mid-year planning assessment, we have accomplished and exceeded our targets for last year. We are also now better in terms of program delivery,” he added. Valte, meanwhile, noted that the government continues to strive to deliver better services to OFWs. "We have had several instances where the government has needed to repatriate OFWs. And while it may not have been to the speed that some quarters would like it to be, our fellow workers in whatever country that needs repatriation is certainly on the ground to help our OFWs," she said. "While there may be cases na hindi po satisfied ‘yung mga OFWs, we continue to receive the suggestions and input to be able to further better the services that we give to our OFWs," she added.

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

“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. - with Gian Geronimo, VVP, GMA News

Tags: ofws, noynoyaquino