Philippines
De Lima vows to pursue financial training programs for OFWs, their families
De Lima vows to pursue financial training programs for OFWs, their families
Opposition Senator Leila de Lima on Monday vowed to pursue programs aimed at helping improve the plight of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families once she wins a fresh term in the Senate in the upcoming May 2022 elections.
In particular, De Lima said she will seek to establish programs that would provide financial trainings for the OFWs and their families in the country to enable them to know how to properly manage their remittances.
De Lima earlier filed Senate Resolution No. 497 asking the Senate to look into the status of the national government’s OFW repatriation and assistance programs amid reports of continuing delays and inefficiencies in their implementation.
At the very least, the senator said there should be affordable online and on-demand training and certification available for OFWs who want to acquire new skills and certification but could not afford the tuition for training in the country where they work.
Because of their hardwork, De Lima noted many OFWs were able to live better and earn better income. Should she win in the elections, the lawmaker said she will pursue programs that would teach OFWs and their kin financial literacy and management so they can start their own businesses and investments when they decide to return to the Philippines.
“Makatutulong ito sa pag-unlad at paglawak pa ng kanilang kaalaman upang makahanap din ng trabaho na mas mataas ang suweldo at mas makapagpundar pa para sa pamilya (That could help them grow and widen their knowledge so they can look for more high-paying jobs and help them save money for their family),” De Lima said.
De Lima’s representative and spokesperson, Dino De Leon, earlier discussed the senator’s program of government for OFWs during seperate online events hosted by Team Leni Robredo KSA (ka-TROPA sa Saudi Arabia) and Kabayans for Leni 2022 last Jan. 28.
De Lima said she believes there is a need to strengthen the government’s support for the country’s OFWs especially for those who wish to return to the country through re-skilling, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) support and employment programs.
She said it is imperative for the government to ensure the welfare of OFWs by making sure they can settle back nicely in their home country after years of working abroad and away from their loved ones.
De Lima also reiterated the need for the government to designate a human rights attaché and or set up a human rights desk in the countries where OFWs work.
“Sadly, some of our overseas workers who work night and day just to be able to provide better opportunities for their families here have been subjected to abuses and harassments,” she said.