Migrants denounce plan to raise contributions to OWWA to $50/OFW

Migrant groups have criticized the proposed legislation to raise to $50 per person the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) contribution to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

Rep. Ma. Theresa Bonoan-David (Fourth District, Manila), author of House Bill (H.B.) 6195, said by raising the OFWs' contribution from $25 to $50 per person "will help to sustain an Emergency Repatriation Fund (ERF) for distressed OFWs."

In a news release last week, Bonoan-David said H.B. 6195 seeks "to amend Republic Act 8042 or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995."

R.A. 8042 already created an ERF under the administration of OWWA with an initial funding of P1 million.

However, in a news release, the migrant workers' group Migrante International said it strongly opposes Bonoan-David's proposed bill as OWWA Resolution No. 038 in 2003 already obligated OFWs to pay $25 per contract for the ERF.

“We will be more than willing to sit down with her and explain to her our basis for strong opposition to the bill,” Migrante International chairperson Garry Martinez said.

He urged the lawmaker to "re-think the bill after conducting consultations with OFWs and other stakeholders."

“We do not know who Rep. Bonoan-David has been consulting but while her intentions may be noble, the bill is definitely unwelcome to OFWs,” Martinez said.

Meanwhile, some people voiced their opposition to the bill through Twitter.

Dyosa Prij: “NO TO HOUSE BILL 6195, increasing OFW fee of $50 for the OWWA ERF authored by Manila Dist. Rep. Ma. Theresa Bonoan-David! Spread the word!

Noem Lardizabal-Dado: “No to $50 INCREASE payments from OFWs! No to passage of House Bill (HB) No. 6195 that requires ADDITIONAL $50 OWWA fees.

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