MANILA, Philippines — Presidential candidate Vice President Leni Robredo has committed to strengthen reintegration programs for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who wish to return and work in the Philippines.
Speaking to OFW supporters during a virtual program on Friday, the Vice President recognized the desire of many overseas workers to stay in the country and be with their families.
She stressed that working abroad should be a choice and not a necessity for Filipinos.
“I believe that we can achieve this dream… If the government is honest, our economy will grow. Adequate jobs will be created and Filipinos will get salaries and benefits that are appropriate for their skills,” she said in Filipino
“How can we achieve this? First, we have to fix our economy so we will have many job opportunities… Second, the benefits that you get from the countries that you are working in should also be offered here,” she added.
Robredo pushed for the creation of a reintegration pension fund and programs that will provide skills training to returning OFWs to help them find jobs in the Philippines.
She also stressed the need for a task force on reintegration that will address the needs of those who will return to the country, including those affected by a crisis such as the pandemic.
“We need to have a coordinated stepladder reintegration preparedness training program based on existing best practices,” said the Vice President.
“We have to make sure that if you choose to go home to the Philippines, there is an assurance that you have equal if not better chances of success,” she said.
For those who will choose to work abroad, Robredo said the Philippine government must ensure that they are protected and provided with a strong support system.
“We will enter into more existing bilateral agreements,” she said, noting that there are only few labor agreements between the Philippines and countries hosting OFWs.
“We will make sure that the existing labor agreements will also be properly implemented,” she added.
Robredo said she will focus on countries with bigger numbers of OFWs experiencing abuse and coordinate closely with their governments to insist on the rights and dignity of Filipinos.
“We also need to establish... one-stop migration resource centers in key provinces, cities and municipalities,” she said, noting these would ensure that the families will get support and have constant connection with the OFWs.