By Leslie Ann G. Aquino
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has assured overseas Filipino workers who will register in the OFW Assistance Information System (OASIS) that their rights would be respected in compliance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012.
(MANILA BULLETIN)
DOLE Assistant Secretary Alex Avila gave this assurance in a Laging Handa press briefing on Thursday, June 25.
He explained that the information being asked from OFWs registering in the online tracking system are only those needed for their repatriation.
The Labor department earlier activated the tracking system to facilitate an orderly and smooth repatriation of OFWs.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said through the said system, the government can track the whereabouts of returning OFWs and provide them prompt assistance and relief upon their return to the country.
Administered by the DOLE Command Center, the system will provide a reliable database for OFWs displaced by the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is designed to help the government determine and immediately provide the kind of support they need as at the country’s airports.
Such assistance includes efficient swab testing, and rapid pick up and transport to their respective hotels and homes and other necessary processes.
The DOLE said knowing the airlines the OFWs used, their health condition, local addresses and other relevant data in the tracker will enable the government to respond to the workers’ specific needs.
To be tracked, the labor department said OFWs bound for home should register through oasis.owwa.gov.ph.
"Once there, they need to Click ‘Register’ and fill out the form by providing appropriate data and information," said DOLE.
"They should check the box to certify they have read the form, understood its contents and give consent to process their data under the Data Privacy Act of 2012. Then click the ‘submit’ button," added the department.
DOLE said a link will then be sent to the email of the individual to notify that they have successfully registered in the OASIS.
OASIS was developed by DOLE, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).