The Philippine Presidential candidate and Vice President Leni Robredo has pitched for jobs for Filipinos and the setting up of a pension fund for Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
Emphasising her commitment to strengthening reintegration programs for OFWs who wish to return and work in the Philippines, the Vice President recognized the desire of many overseas workers to stay in the country and be with their families.
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Speaking to OFW supporters during a virtual program on Friday, she stressed that working abroad should be a choice and not a necessity for Filipinos.
“I believe that we can achieve this dream… If the government is honest, our economy will grow. Adequate jobs will be created and Filipinos will get salaries and benefits that are appropriate for their skills,” she said.
“How can we achieve this? First, we have to fix our economy so we will have many job opportunities… Second, the benefits that you get from the countries that you are working in should also be offered here,” she added.
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Robredo pushed for the creation of a reintegration pension fund and programs that will provide skills training to returning OFWs and also stressed the need for a task force on reintegration that will address the needs of those who will return to the country.
“We need to have a coordinated stepladder reintegration preparedness training program based on existing best practices. We have to make sure that if you choose to go home to the Philippines, there is an assurance that you have equal if not better chances of success,” she said.
