Overseas Workers Welfare Administration(OWWA)

August 22, 2023 Dear Mr. Ben Thatcher, Greetings! Thank you for your request dated Aug 20, 2023 04:43:10 PM under Executive Order No. 2 (s. 2016) on Freedom of Information in the Executive Branch data on migrant workers with disability and the programs of the Department of Migrant Workers to assist this particular group of individuals. Mr. Thatcher we received four (4) inquiries from you for the period 15 and 20 August. Apparently you have not been doing your readings of secondary sources which is a requirement for doing a thesis/research. It is obvious that you do not share our definition of migrant workers. The data of OWWA covers member-OFWs with a valid overseas employment contract (OEC) at the time of payment of contribution. Therefore, not all Filipino migrant workers are members of OWWA and logically not all migrant workers can avail of benefits and services from OWWA. OWWA provides financial and repatriation benefits for active OWWA members who are medically/mentally challenged while overseas. However, we can only facilitate the assistance for the non-member through referral or representation with the employer or foreign placement agency. Visit OWWA's website: www//http: @owwa.gov.ph for a listing of programs and benefits. It is strongly suggested that you open the different government website whose mandate has something to do with migrant workers. Moreover, familiarize yourself with R.A 8042 and R.A. 10022 to be more knowledgeable of the Migrant Workers Act and its amendment law. If you are unhappy with this response to your FOI request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response by writing the OWWA- FOI Decision Makers at email: [email protected]. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response and should be made within FIFTEEN (15) calendar days from the date you received this letter. We will complete the review and tell you the result within THIRTY (30) calendar days from the date we received your review request. However, if you are still not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Office of the President under Administrative Order No. 22 (s. 2011). Thank you. Respectfully, EMMA V. SINCLAIR Deputy Administrator OWWA-FOI Decision Maker