NOW YOU KNOW | All About OWWA for OFWs

February 05, 2021 | Unistaff

NOW YOU KNOW | All About OWWA for OFWs article header

Contents:

What is the OWWA?

What does the OWWA provide?

How do I become an OWWA member?

What are the benefits of being an OWWA member?

How can I check the validity of my OWWA Membership?

How do I renew my OWWA Membership?

Working far from home as an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) is a life-changing experience that can be filled with exciting adventures and difficult obstacles. But it’s reassuring to know that help is within reach when you need it. Having an organisation to rely on for support when faced with employment-related issues makes a big difference.

Whether you’re an aspiring OFW or already living your dream of working abroad, it’s important for you to learn about OWWA. Find out how this organisation can help you on this installment of: Now You Know!

What is the OWWA?

OWWA Website

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is a membership institution attached to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), similar to the POEA. It was organized in 1977 as the Welfare and Training Fund for Overseas Workers. It is in charge of protecting and promoting the welfare OFWs and their families all over the world. It is present in 31 overseas posts in 27 countries. It also has its regional presence in all the 17 regions of the Philippines.

It assists Filipinos bound to work abroad in three key stages:

Pre-departure: educate OFWs on realities of overseas work and basic language training
On-site: assist OFWs whenever they encounter concerns with their employers
Upon arrival: provide OFWs with livelihood training and programs upon returning home

It has a two-fold mandate:

Delivery of welfare services and benefits - to continuously develop and implement programs and services that respond to the needs of its member-OFWs and their families
Ensure capital build-up and fund viability - to administer a trust fund to be called the OWWA Fund

Its main difference with the POEA is that OWWA manages issues concerning OFWs who are already working abroad.

What does the OWWA provide?

Admin/staff talking or assisting a person

While OFWs are working abroad, they can approach OWWA to seek their assistance on the following:

Information and guidance
Psycho-social counseling and conciliation services
Legal assistance
Outreach missions
Training
Representation - on behalf of the OFW, OWWA may provide appropriate representation with employers, agents and host authorities

How do I become an OWWA member?

Person filling out documents

Remember that an OWWA membership is required in order to enjoy the programs and benefits they offer. There are 2 ways to apply:

Enrollment upon processing of contract at the POEA
Voluntary registration at job sites overseas

To become a member, an OFW must register and pay a membership fee worth USD $25 (or its foreign currency equivalent).

These are the requirements for OWWA membership:

Copy of Passport (emphasis on data page with photo)
Employment Pass / Work Permit Card
Filled in OWWA Information Sheet
Employment Contract
Membership Fee Payment (dependent upon destination country between PHP 1,000-1,500 or its foreign currency equivalent).

What are the benefits of being an OWWA member?

shaking hands

Active members and their immediate beneficiaries are entitled to a number of benefits from OWWA. And they are covered for the duration of his/her employment contract.

Social Benefits:

Death Benefit - PHP 100,000 for death due to natural causes and PHP 200,000 for death due to accidents
Disability and Dismemberment Benefit - PHP 50,000 for partial disability and PHP 100,000 in case of total permanent disability
Burial Benefit - in addition to Death Benefit, a rider of PHP 20,000 will be received by legal heirs for funeral expenses

Educational Programs - an OWWA member may avail for himself or herself or his or her duly designated beneficiary any of the following scholarship programs, subject to a selection process and accreditation of participating institutions:

Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) - offered to qualified dependents/beneficiaries of member-OFWs, consisting of a maximum of PHP 60,000 per school year leading to a four to five-year baccalaureate course in any college or university
OFW Dependents Scholarship Program (OFW DSP) - consisting of a maximum of PHP 20,000 per school year leading to a baccalaureate or associate degree in a state college or university for dependents whose active OFW-member parents receive a monthly salary of not more than USD $400
Skills-for-Employment Scholarship Program (SESP) - OFWs or their dependents can enhance their vocational and technical skills, consisting of a maximum of PHP 14,500 per course in any TESDA-accredited school
Seafarers’ Upgrading Program (SUP) - designed to upgrade the skills and develop the expertise of Filipino seafarers. First availment consists of a maximum of PHP 7, 500 training assistance. Availment in another training course is every after three (3) recorded membership.
Education and Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP) - for survivors of a deceased OFW consisting of PHP 5,000 for elementary, PHP 8,000 for high school and PHP 10,000 for college per school year and livelihood assistance amounting to PHP 15,000 is given to the surviving spouse

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Repatriation Program - bringing distressed workers back to the Philippines, including airport assistance, temporary shelter at the OWWA Halfway House, and provision for their travel back to their provinces

Reintegration Program

Economic component - social preparation programs for livelihood projects, community-based income generating projects, skills training, credit assistance is also available in partnership with Land Bank of the Philippines
Psycho-social component - community programs or OFW family circles and services such as social counseling, family counseling, stress debriefing, and training on capacity building and value formation

Visit here to learn more about the benefits you can receive for being an OWWA Member!

OWWA Membership Benefits infographic

How can I check the validity of my OWWA membership?

Calendar pointing to a date

OWWA memberships are typically valid for two years from the date of payment regardless of change of employer or job site. The membership must be renewed every 2 years.

OFWs can check their membership status by referring to the date on their Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) or the OWWA Balik-Manggagawa Slip. If the date is not more than two years, then the membership is still valid along with the benefits that come with it.

Check out the OWWA mobile apps available on Google Play and on the App Store.

OWWA mobile apps

How do I renew my OWWA membership?

Person using a computer doing an online application

If an OFW’s OWWA membership has expired while still under an active contract, the renewal can be done through the following methods:

Online - via the OWWA website, OWWA mobile app or an online application form for the OWWA OFW E-card
Abroad On-Site - OFWs can visit the nearest Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) of the Philippine Embassy within their work location
In the Philippines - renewal services are also available at OWWA Regional Welfare Offices or OWWA Satellite offices located in various areas including POEA Ortigas, NAIA Terminal 1,2, and 3, Trinoma, and Duty Free Fiesta

By becoming an OWWA member, OFWs gain access to benefits that they can enjoy and their beneficiaries can make the most of. It’s not easy to work far away from home. Thanks to the protection offered by OWWA, every member can feel assured that their rights are valued. As OFWs make sacrifices to build a better life for themselves and their loved ones, having options to continue investing in their livelihood upon returning home to the Philippines will help ensure that it has all been worthwhile.

Now you know!

If you have any more questions, ask us anytime. If you’re ready to find opportunities to work abroad, take a look at our international job openings. Click below and our recruitment team can review your CV immediately.