BY DANIE MAE FAJARDO-DELA CRUZ
MANILA – The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is putting together a full cycle of reintegration services for returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
This is in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to help transform an OFW’s journey into “inspirational stories for all time”, said Secretary Susan Ople.
“We want them to come back with excitement in their hearts on what the future holds for them and their families, through meaningful partnerships across the government bureaucracy and with non-government organizations and private companies serving as their mentors and cheerleaders,” the DMW secretary added.
Thus, timed with the observance of the National Migrant Workers’ Day yesterday, DMW entered into agreements with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and seven other major reintegration partners.
Every June 7, the Philippines marks National Migrant Workers’ Day to celebrate the signing of Republic Act 8042 or the Migrant Workers’ Act of 1995.
“We thank all our partners in both government and the private sector as we strive to put together a full cycle of reintegration services for our OFWs,” Ople said.
With DTI, the DMW plans to help OFWs start a business of their own.
“OFWs contribute to our economy through their dollar remittances but at some point in their lives, they would also need to come home and create sustainable sources of income through entrepreneurship, sound investments or by landing a better job here at home,” said Ople.
Ople signed the agreement on behalf of DMW. Secretary Alfredo Pascual signed on behalf of DTI.
“Through DTI, our OFW-entrepreneurs and/or their families would be able to access business training and mentorship programs that would enable them to stay together while also providing jobs to others,” said Ople.
Among the features of the DMW-DTI partnership are:
* assistance in the business registration process for OFWs
* inclusion of OFWs and OFW families in DTI’s business training and development programs
* financial literacy training courses for OFWs in partnership with DMW offices worldwide and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration regional offices for OFW families nationwide
* OFW products and services to be included in DTI trade fairs
* linking up of OFW companies/products/services with large companies and government agencies to improve market access and promotions
DTI will also issue a certificate to OFWs or members of their families who successfully registered their business and underwent entrepreneurship training.
DMW also forged reintegration partnerships with the following:
* Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), a national government agency which aims to promote the sustained growth of cooperatives in the Philippines – OFWs will be encouraged to participate and join cooperatives to build further opportunities for livelihood and income.
* civil society organizations known for promoting the welfare of OFWs such as Wimler Foundation Hong Kong Ltd., which conducts mentoring and counseling services for OFWs, and OFW-tailored pre-migration orientation seminars created by Atikha Overseas Workers and Communities Initiatives (ATIKHA)
* three private sector organizations – F.R. Sevilla Industrial and Development Corporation for construction workers’ skills training and employment; Western Union and PLDT Global for financial literacy and connectivity collaboration; and Ateneo de Manila University for trainings on leadership, social entrepreneurship, innovation, and financial literacy/PN
