3 Things OFWs Should Know
October 9, 2020
Filipinos work abroad to earn for the family. They take the risks of being away from their loved ones, missing the growing years and milestones of their children, to provide them a comfortable life and better future.
During the second quarter of 2020, COVID-19 pandemic started to affect many companies around the world, which caused them to cease operations and send overseas Filipino workers back to their home country. At the Senate hearing held last September 24, 2020, DOLE secretary Silvestre Bello III presented data from the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) that more than 400,000 OFWs lost their jobs and 8,880 got infected with the virus while others with pending applications were put on hold due to travel restrictions.
COVID-19 has impacted the lives of many people including Filipinos worldwide. In fact, it was recorded that almost half percent of more than 600,000 Filipinos on site who sought financial assistance and requested repatriation from DOLE have been approved.
Nonetheless, this new coronavirus is not going away soon. That’s why most companies abroad have decided to resume business and operate again, putting in place covid-related protocols to ensure the safety of their employees . While some employers re-hired their Filipino workers, others are now in search of new skilled and medical workers for sea and land-based jobs.
Despite the danger, some of our kababayans chose to remain abroad hoping to find other ways of earning money, but those who were sent home are now pushed to return and work overseas to recover lost income.
Here are the 3 things that you should remember when working in another country:
Communicate. If there’s one thing that this pandemic has taught us, it is to value our relationship with our loved ones. Being away from your family may add up to your emotional and mental distress. And so, it is advisable to keep constant communication with them wherever you go.
Life is too short to miss out on anything. Live and spend your precious time wisely.
Read More: Common Challenges of OFWs Abroad and How to Cope with Them
Save. With the ongoing crisis, it’s hard to be complacent and just depend on your salary. This time, you need to be smart when it comes to spending your hard-earned money. As much as possible, work hand in hand with your partner or spouse to manage the family expenses. Set aside a portion of your income for savings, emergency fund or future business plans.
Protect. Being a breadwinner, the more you need to think about ways on how to protect yourself and your dependents back home. One way is to purchase life insurance where your beneficiaries may receive a lump sum benefit that can be used for their day to day expenses or educational costs.
Another way is through OFW insurance, under Republic Act 10022. This insurance aims to improve the standard of protection and promote the welfare of the Filipino migrants and their families in distress.
Paramount Life & General Insurance Corp. offers OFW Balik-Manggagawa Insurance - a product that is designed specifically for returning OFW/Migrant workers under the mandatory insurance coverage for migrant workers. It is considered an extra protection to the migrant workers in cases where their employers/principal fail to perform their liabilities to the worker.
OFW Balik-Manggagawa Insurance is open to all returning overseas Filipino workers, from aged 21 to 55, with a valid employment contract or working permit/visa. Among other benefits, this product covers death and medical repatriation. Premium is based on the contract duration. A 12-month contract is 40USD.
Application is fast, simple and hassle-free. Visit www.ofwinsurance.ph to apply and get more information.
As you seek better opportunities abroad it is important to set and know your priorities. This helps you focus and attain your goals easily.
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