Senate, House bills to help OFWs pushed

MANILA, Philippines - For their invaluable contribution to the Philippine economy, the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) get little in return in times when they need it the most. Too often news of OFWs getting killed, wrongly imprisoned, being maltreated and other horrifying experiences they have to endure away from their loved ones. As in most cases, help comes in trickles and rarely in time. Sometimes people are led to wonder if their title as modern day heroes is just another government lip service for ‘pogi’ points.

RA 8042 aims to provide adequate and timely social, economic and legal services to OFWs. It will shield them against, among others, unlawful termination, pre termination or cancellation of their contract, non-payment of their salaries and benefits and repatriation and their welfare safeguarded in the event of medical emergency and sickness. In view of the current global financial crisis, however, there may be instances when the employers and placement agencies may fail to satisfy monetary judgment awards and other benefits in favor of the OFW or cover their repatriation costs, thus causing grave damage to the OFW and his family.

Both Houses of Congress have proposed bills that aim to stem this apprehension and tide the OFW over these hard times. Senate Bill 3286 and House Bill 5469 intend to impose compulsory liability insurance for every OFW in order to ensure the aforementioned benefits and at no cost to the OFW.

For their part, as early as October 2008, several groups of placement agencies, led by the Federated Associations of Manpower Exporters, Inc. (FAME) and the Philippine Association of Service Exporters, Inc. (PASEI), have already expressed their desire to impose this compulsory liability insurance by way of a manifesto addressed to President Arroyo. They have also contributed valuable inputs to HB 5469 and SB 3286 which are now being discussed in a bicameral conference committee for final approval.

On the other hand, last April 22, about 73 non-life insurance firms out of the 86 authorized to do business in the country signed a manifesto supporting the compulsory liability insurance for the OFW and organized themselves into a consortium in order to harness their resources together that will cater to the designs of the proposed bills. Because of the huge risks involved under any mandatory coverage, lack of market experience and to further ensure the viability of the program, the consortium, they believe, will optimize the intended services for OFWs.

They have likewise designated Philippine Charter Insurance Corp. (PCIC) of Metrobank as the lead insurer of the consortium. As the lead insurer PCIC will undertake the insurance of the policy, receive premium payments for distribution to the consortium members, and settle claims among others for and on behalf of the consortium.

Some of the consortium members are: Bank of the Philippine Islands’ BPI/MS Insurance Corp., Banco de Oro’s Generali Pilipinas Insurance Co., Rizal Commercial and Banking Corp.’s Malayan Insurance Co., Philippine National Bank’s PNB General Insurers Co., Inc., United Coconut Planters Bank’s UCPB General Insurance Co., Inc. and Export and Industry Bank’s Value Gen Financial Insurance.

Under the program Noel Que of PhilCharter explains that not a single cent will be paid by OFWs: “This is the beauty of it all. The employer will be the one to shoulder the premium since the program will also protect them. In case of untoward incident, the consortium takes care of the OFWs’ claims. In short, the consortium will be the one taking care of the employers’ problem.”

Also, and more importantly, the program has tied up with Assist America a global network of medical service providers. It has more than 20 million participants thus far and is considered the global standard for emergency assistance since 1990.

“Among others, Assist America provides medical evacuation, compassionate visit, medically-supervised repatriation and return of mortal remains.” Que said.