OFW dependents
DESPITE the many problems and challenges confronting the manpower export industry, it still remains as a major pillar of the country’s struggling domestic economy.
Dollar remittances of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), including female domestic helpers, help prop up the economy, which was ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic.
What’s needed is for the government, through the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), to ensure the health, safety and welfare OFW dependents in the country.
We commend Sen. Imee R. Marcos for urging the DMW and migrant workers’ groups to give more focus on creating support programs to deal with the problems faced by OFWs.
Presidential sister Senator Marcos aired the call during her recent meeting with Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Arnel Santiago.
Ms. Marcos said that problems faced by migrant workers and their dependents in the country can be addressed by support groups in the Philippines.
“Siyempre hindi naman normal sa isang pamilya na nagkakawalay-walay. Dapat talaga kahit papaano ay may support group na nananatili sa Pilipinas at bigyan ng konting pansin itong mga problem na natural lang sa pamilya,”said Marcos.
A husband whose wife is a domestic helper abroad is forced to act also as a mother to the children, according to the lady senator from Ilocos Norte and Leyte.
That’s what we call feminization of labor. Ms. Marcos said that this too burdensome for a family, adding the set up of the family becomes abnormal and unnatural.
In the eyes of many, Ms. Marcos’ genuine concern for the welfare of our millions of OFWs and their dependents in the Philippines is ample proof that she is pro-labor.
Senator Marcos deserves the support of the public as she exerts efforts to help the country’s modern-day heroes.
