Magsino draws up initial plan to help returning OFWs as Israel-Hamas war rages on
At A Glance
- OFW Party-list Rep. Marissa "Del Mar" Magsino is eager to answer Speaker Martin Romualdez's call for the chamber to address the plight of returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from the Middle East as a result of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
OFW Party-list Rep. Marissa "Del Mar" Magsino (Facebook)
A member of the House minority bloc is eager to answer Speaker Martin Romualdez's call for the chamber to address the plight of returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from the Middle East as a result of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
OFW Party-list Rep. Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino, an assistant minority leader, underscored the need for comprehensive public consultations to gather input and insights from various stakeholders and develop robust plans and policies to better serve OFWs.
“We thank OFWs for their significant contributions in propelling the economy and strengthening the relationship of the Philippines with the nations around the world,” Magsino said.
“We will be asking the private sector to coordinate job vacancies with the concerned government agencies like the Department of Migrant Workers so that we can directly refer returning OFWs whose skills are matched with vacant positions,” she noted.
Magsino is a member of the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs (OWA), which Romualdez had specifically tasked to look into the effective reintegration of the returning OFWs.
“We have to take the initiative and focus on a multi-faceted approach to address the encompassing various areas of concern of our OFWs, including strengthening their labor rights and welfare programs by ensuring that they are protected and treated fairly in their host countries,” she said.
“OFWs and their families must be given access to resources and training to improve financial literacy and make informed decisions about remittances and investments, as well as healthcare and well-being by giving them access to affordable health services,” added Magsino.
She further said: "These measures are our initial response to the sacrifices and challenges that OFWs face in pursuit of better opportunities. The Marcos administration and the House leadership under Speaker Romualdez are doing everything to address their plight and ensure their well-being."
The Israel-Hamas war is on its third week. Kabayan Party-list Rep. Ron Salo chairs the OWA panel.