Rappler's latest stories on overseas workers
Bello rejects calls to use OFWs' OWWA contributions for aid
'Dapat gobyerno ang magbigay ng pera,' says Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, as he reiterates the need for a supplemental budget to assist overseas Filipino workers
If pandemic persists, OWWA funds to be depleted end of 2021
The costs for hotel, food, and transportation for overseas Filipino workers are not sustainable, says OWWA chief Hans Cacdac
House panel eyes additional P5-billion aid for OFWs
Labor officials estimate that some 500,000 overseas Filipino workers may be out of work by the end of August
163 Filipinos repatriated from Macau arrive in Manila
(UPDATED) The Filipino repatriates, who are considered persons-under-monitoring, will go on home quarantine
DFA to repatriate 148 Filipinos from Macau amid coronavirus outbreak
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration also says it will repatriate 48 active members from the area
Gov’t to give cash aid to OFWs affected by China travel ban
The government will give P10,000 to each overseas Filipino worker stranded in the country due to the temporary travel ban on mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau
Robredo fact-checks Uson: Why let a fake news peddler get taxpayers' money?
Known online propagandist and OWWA official Mocha Uson falsely claims the food packs donated by the Vice President's office to the Taal victims contained only 5 pieces of pan de sal and a bottle of water
[EXPLAINER] Was Mocha Uson a candidate covered by the appointment ban?
Until all election rules are harmonized, we have to contend with loophole-ridden laws and regulations that the likes of Mocha Uson and friends can easily take advantage of
‘This gov’t is good at recycling garbage’: Netizens slam Mocha Uson's OWWA appointment
What do you think of the Duterte administration's move to bring Mocha Uson back to government?
Duterte gives Mocha Uson a new government post
(UPDATED) The pro-Duterte blogger is appointed a deputy executive director at the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration
Malacañang receives resignation of Arnell Ignacio from OWWA post
'He has intimated his desire to pursue other endeavors. We wish him luck to a new path he will traverse,' says Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo
OWWA brings home 109 distressed OFWs from Saudi Arabia
'Many of the workers decided to come home due to contract violations by their Saudi employers,' says the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration
OWWA launches OFW e-card for easier access to gov't benefits
(UPDATED) The e-card reduces the number of documents needed when applying for programs and services offered by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration
OFWs to receive digital literacy, business training from Facebook
'This can be used to avoid scams – knowing what types of information can be sourced from legitimate source. That's why the entry point of safety,' says OWWA chief Hans Cacdac
‘That is a crime’: OWWA’s Arnell Ignacio hits OFW rescue ops in Kuwait
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Deputy Administrator Arnell Ignacio says Philippine embassy personnel should have coordinated with Kuwaiti police
'A national shame': The death and homecoming of Joanna Demafelis
In May 2014, Joanna Demafelis left for Kuwait to help secure a better future for her family. She comes home in a box nearly 4 years later.
Philippine officials meet OFWs in Kuwait amid labor row
The Department of Labor and Employment says the deployment ban will not be lifted until safety guarantees are secured
Family of OFW earthquake victim to receive around P1.94 million in aid – Bello
Aside from aid from the Overseas Workers Welfare Association, Melody Albano Castro's family will receive additional money from worker's insurance and Hualien City government aid
What's contingency plan if PH stops deploying OFWs to Kuwait? – Villanueva
But International watchdog Human Rights Watch says that instead of a ban, the Philippines should demand 'stronger protections' for overseas Filipino workers
First phase of OFW ID implementation starts
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III says the OFW ID will still be given for free
13,000 OFWs already sent home from Saudi Arabia
More than half of these workers are repatriated through the Saudi government's amnesty program launched March this year
Giving a gift to new employer can benefit domestic workers abroad – study
A study shows that making a favorable first impression on an employer can have long term benefits for some OFWs
Filipino entrepreneur brings a taste of Pinoy food to Qatar
Entrepreneur Dahlia Agbanlog opens her first restaurant knowing that for Filipinos working abroad, there’s nothing like a cooked meal reminiscent of home
How much does it cost to work abroad?
Here's what OFWs and their employers need to pay
LOOK: Pampanga hospital designates specific wing for OFWs
The Jose B Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital in San Fernando Pampanga is the first of several government hospitals to set up an ‘OFW wing’
#OFWRights: Align OFWs' repatriation with PH economic plans – experts
In the 2016 elections Duterte received overwhelming support from OFWs – majority of whom voted for him on his promise to make working abroad an option instead of a necessity
How Duterte gov’t plans to bring OFWs back home
The labor department banks on the millions of jobs that ‘Dutertenomics’ will generate and on the improved reintegration program for returning OFWs
2,000 more OFWs in Saudi Arabia sent home after amnesty extension
A total of 7 697 overstaying Filipino workers have been repatriated from Saudi Arabia as of July 24
Over 5,000 OFWs in Saudi repatriated as amnesty program ends
Some 2 241 OFWs granted amnesty are still in Saudi Arabia waiting for their tickets
Unpaid wages leave Filipino workers stranded in Qatar
For the workers stranded in the labor camps, reforms and resolutions cannot come fast enough
Duterte says department for OFWs to come 'in a few months'
However the bills filed in Congress to create the proposed department remain pending at the committee level
News Briefs: March 13, 2017
Stories from across the Philippines on Monday March 13
35 OFWs from Kuwait to be repatriated Wednesday
OWWA’s Repatriation Assistance Division RAD vows to assist the repatriates
Body of OFW killed in Jordan arrives home
Felma Maramag was reportedly killed by two Jordanians on February 5
News Briefs: February 8, 2017
Stories from across the Philippines on Wednesday February 8
Recto: Newly-approved OFW repatriation fund not enough
Recto says the emergency repatriation fund for OFWs must reach at least P1 5 billion
Qatar's 'illegals' scramble to leave under amnesty
Thousands of undocumented residents are expected to leave Qatar before December 1 after Doha introduced a 3 month amnesty for those living in the country illegally to leave without legal consequences
Hijacked Filipino seafarers return home after nearly 5 years
UPDATED I am so happy This is what I had been praying for every night: to be with my family this Christmas Arnel Balbero says surrounded by his 4 siblings at the airport
Success stories from the 8888 hotline
Citizen complaints received through the hotline get forwarded to concerned agencies for immediate action
How Duterte gov't cared for OFWs in first 100 days
In his campaign Duterte promised to make OFW concerns his top labor priority Did he live up to his promise?
Cacdac is new OWWA chief
Claro Arellano a justice department prosecutor will replace Hans Cacdac at the POEA
Over 7,000 Saudi OFWs given financial aid - OWWA
The agency says P20 000 in financial assistance has already been given to OFWs stranded in Saudi Arabia as well as those who have already been repatriated back to the Philippines
What delays aid for 11,000 stranded OFWs in Saudi?
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration says it has started sending relief assistance to OFWs but the lack of manpower and records hamper their efforts
Unpaid, stranded OFWs in Saudi may now claim aid from OWWA
Affected OFWs including those who have been repatriated to the Philippines are each entitled to a P20 000 cash assistance
OWWA on ‘excessive gadget purchases': They were free
COA hits the agency for issuing high end gadgets to some personnel
Aquino and the continuing plight of OFWs
President Benigno Aquino III promised OFWs that at the end of his administration working abroad will be a choice rather than a necessity Did he deliver?
2.4 million OFWs to benefit from MEDplus by end-2016
UPDATED The new program will provide one time financial aid not exceeding P50 000 for OFWs diagnosed with dreaded diseases
Santiago urges creation of body to monitor documented OFWs
Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago makes the call following reports that overseas Filipino worker Thelma Gawidan was starved and forced to work without pay in Singapore
'Abused' OFW in Saudi Arabia dies – migrants' group
Migrante Middle East calls on the Philippine government to investigate the untimely death of 25 year old Rehana Lusay Bayan
The OEC is here to stay, OFWs in HK told
POEA chief Hans Leo Cacdac says plans are underway to fully implement the online application system for Overseas Employment Certificates in Hong Kong
