The Department of Labor and Employment said that the majority or nearly 70% of overseas Filipino workers or OFWs are still uninsured and highly vulnerable to risks in their host countries.
The statement comes even if Republic Act (RA) 10022 or the “Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act” in 2010 mandates OFWs to be insured.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello said that only 32% of OFWs are insured following the law’s passage.
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Due to the high number of unprotected OFWs, Bello issued a Department Order mandating insurance coverage for rehired and directly hired OFWs.
“This order seeks to forthwith extend, expand and strengthen this indispensable mantle of protection to all OFWs during this current global health emergency crisis at no cost to the worker, and also other migrant work based abroad under a residency status granted by the host country,” Bello said.
The order will remain in effect as long as the country is still under a state of public health emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The order stated that manning agencies will still be required to shoulder the compulsory insurance for agency-hired workers.
Employers must shoulder the compulsory insurance for rehires, direct hires and name hires. An OFW can shoulder it initially but is subject to a full refund.
Bello said that only “reputable” private insurance companies registered and accredited by the Insurance Commission will be allowed. (TDT)
