DMW hikes aid to distressed OFWs

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has increased the amounts of financial aid it may grant to distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their kin.

Through Department Order No. 5 series of 2024, the DMW increased the amounts that can be drawn from its Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo Para sa mga OFWs na Nangangailangan (Aksyon) Fund to P50,000 to P100,000 depending on the cases.

The allowable assistance was previously P30,000 for all types of distressed OFWs, except for those returning from warlike conditions, who received P50,000.

Some OFWs were also given double their qualified amount if the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, an attached agency of the DMW, disbursed cash aid as well.

The Aksyon Fund is the department’s main source of financial aid for OFWs who have complained of exploitation, abuse, displacement, injury, death or other forms of distress. For 2024, the DMW’s allocated budget for the Aksyon Fund is P2.8 billion.

Support

The DMW previously offered financial assistance worth P30,000 to P40,000 to OFWs and kin in different kinds of situations.But based on the the latest order, financial aid for the kin of OFWs who die in their host country, either through accidental or natural causes, will receive P100,000. The same amount will also be given to family members of an OFW who passed away within one year of their arrival in the Philippines.

While OFWs with severe physical or mental illness, who experience abuse resulting in physical disability, injuries, or mental health condition will receive P75,000. The same amount will be received by OFWs displaced due to war, political unrest, and other extraordinary situations.

The family members of an OFW who is in a case involving capital punishment will also receive P75,000.

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While P50,000 will be given to OFW who are severely affected by recession in their host countries, bankruptcy of their employer, involuntary separation from employment due to companies downsizing.

The last amount will also be received by OFWs who are victims of abuse, maltreatment, or contract violation; OFWs are victims of human trafficking; victims of natural calamities; and the family members of an OFW serving their sentence in prison.

“It can be used for legal, medical, financial and other forms of assistance to OFWs, including repatriation, shipment of human remains, evacuation, rescue and any other analogous form of assistance to protect the rights of Filipino nationals,” the DMW said. INQ