I AM A MISSIONARY surgeon of the United Methodist Church, assigned in Liberia. One year na po ako roon. Ako po ay taga-Marikina rin at kasalukuyang nagbabakasyon dito. Instead of salary, the UMC is paying us support because it’s not equivalent to the amount of work we do, compared to if I practice. Meron po akong gustong itanong. Nag-apply po ako sa POEA to become a member of OWWA or OFW . First they said Liberia is a restricted country and that the Philippines doesn’t allow OFWs to go there. But I said I’ve been there for a year and that I am legal and have supporting documents with me. They referred me to another person who handles these cases. After a while, she came back with memos saying missionaries are not classified as OFWs. Then BOI and POEA came out with the list of 24 countries where we don’t send OFWs. Liberia is not one of them. I want to become a member of OWWA because I want to avail of the benefits. Please advise me. — Dr. Elma ng Marikina City
UNA MUNA AY linawin mo ‘yung katangian ng compensation na tinatanggap mo. Suweldo ba ‘yun? Meron kasing suweldo pero iba ang itinatawag ng employer. ‘Pag napatunayan kasi natin na may employer-employee relationship, maituturing kang contract worker o OFW.
Kung magkakaganu’n, maaari kang mag-apply ng membership sa OWWA sa pamamagitan ng pagbabayad ng contribution. Kung undocumented OFW ka, maaari kang maging documented sa pamamagitan ng pagsasaayos ng papeles mo. Lalo na ‘yan na sinabi nilang hindi restricted country ang Liberia.
At oras na mapatunayan mong OFW ka na, maaari ka nang mag-avail ng mga benefits mula sa OWWA, tulad ng livelihood loans nito para sa mga OFW sa ilalim ng OWWA Reintegration Program.
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Ayuda sa OFW
By Ome Candazo
