More than one month later after the OFW IDs was first announced, migrant Filipinos will still have to wait much longer before the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) rolls out its distribution and implementation.
DOLE is reportedly eyeing to partner with private companies interested in paying for the production expenses, thus making OFW IDs free-of-charge for OFWs.
“We are considering the participation of commercial entities, which will be allowed to place product ads in the system,” the government agency said.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III previously announced that OFWs will not pay any amount as their employers or recruitment agencies will shoulder the processing of the IDs, The Filipino Times reported.
If the partnership with companies is approved, OFWs along with their employers and recruitment agencies, will need not pay for the cost of the ID.
DOLE launched the ID on July 12 that is supposed to replace the Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC).
