DMW increases cash aid to distressed OFWs

 

The Department Order mandating the increased benefits

The Department of Migrant Workers has increased the amount of its financial assistance to overseas Filipino workers in distress, or under certain circumstances, to their next-of-kin, to between P50,000 and P100,000.

Previously, the one-off cash grant was limited to Php30,000 per OFW, except those who returned from war-torn countries, who received Php50,000 each.

PINDUTIN DITO

The increased aid was provided under Under Department Order No. 05, series of 2024 which was published last Wednesday, Aug. 14.

Under the Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFWs na Nangangailangan (AKSYON) Fund which was set up last year, the intended beneficiaries include those who are experiencing financial hardships due to human-induced emergencies such as human trafficking and illegal recruitment. OFWs in such situations will receive Php50,000.

DMW lists down distressed OFWs qualified to receive Php50k

Also entitled to the same amount are OFWs who are severely affected and/or displaced due to economic downturn or recession in the host country, bankruptcy or downsizing of the company or the employer, and those who are victim of abuse, exploitation, maltreatment, or contract violations; and the immediate family members of jailed OFWs.

The amount is raised to Php75,000  if the OFW has a severe illness, injury or mental health condition; has experienced abuse and exploitation resulting in physical or mental disability, injuries, or mental health condition; or is displaced due to war, political unrest, and/or other extraordinary circumstances. The same amount will be granted to the next of kin of OFWs on death row.

OFWs with serious illnesses are among those qualified to get Php75k

Those entitled to receive the biggest cash assistance of Php100,000 are the immediate relatives of OFWs who passed away in the host country due to natural or accidental causes, or those who died within one year from arrival in the Philippines.

The money grant is separate from OWWA benefits, which include the Php100,000 or P200,000 given to the family of members who die onsite, depending on whether the death was due to natural causes or accident; and the Php20,000 in burial assistance.

Relatives of OFWs who die at work or shortly after returning home, could claim Php100k

The DMW Aksyon Fund which was set up last year, has a Php2.8 billion budget allocation for 2023.

Those who request for financial assistance and meet the criteria set under the DMW circular shall submit their application along with the required documents onsite, through the Migrant Workers Office (MWO), or to DMW offices if the worker is already in the Philippines, within one year after arriving in the country. The cash aid will be paid through bank transfer, cash, money remittance, or any other cost-effective mode that can be utilized.

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(Read the full Department Order here: https://dmw.gov.ph/.../DMW/ISN-EXT/2024/DMW-DO-05-2024.pdf)

Earlier this month, DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac  said that nearly Php1billion from the Aksyon Fund had been disbursed to extend legal and labor assistance to at least 52,000 workers, and financial assistance to 10,000 others.

Cacdac said the DMW and its attached agency, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), have responded to appeals for help by  OFWs, especially those affected by the Sudan humanitarian crisis that erupted in April 2023, and the conflict between Israel and militant group Hamas that started in October last year. 

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