Probe P250M OFW 'global crisis fund'--Gabriela
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An investigation is now being pushed in the House of Representatives to determine where the P250 million Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) fund allotted for Filipino migrant workers displaced by the global economic crisis went.
“The Arroyo government’s so-called ‘assistance program’ for Filipino workers displaced by the global financial meltdown could be a ruse to divert millions of OFW money to the pockets of corrupt government officials,” said Gabriela Rep. Luz Ilagan.
In a statement, Ilagan said the call to probe the fund was pushed by the alleged “duping” incident in Malacañang last December. Around 100 OFWs laid off from their works in Taiwan were invited to Malacañang supposedly to accept checks amounting to around P50,000 and several gift packages from concerned government agencies.
However, the OFWs alleged that they were asked to return the checks after the press photo opportunity.
The congresswoman demands that Labor and Employment Secretary Marianito Roque and OWWA Administrator Carmelita Dimzon be included in the investigation as they were the ones who escorted the OFWs.
“The incident was a grand show of this government’s insensitivity and further exploitation of migrant workers. The OFWs have already lost their jobs and still they were cruelly used and tricked by the institutions and people they are relying on for help,” said Ilagan.
Ilagan said the P250 million crisis fund came from the P11.2 billion OWWA fund and has accumulated using the US$25 OFW mandatory membership fee.
“Filipino overseas workers should have immediate access to this fund as it came from their own sweat and blood,” said Ilagan.
Ilagan’s party also wants the government and concerned agencies to establish a more responsive program for Filipinos displaced by the global financial crisis.
An investigation is now being pushed in the House of Representatives to determine where the P250 million Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) fund allotted for Filipino migrant workers displaced by the global economic crisis went.
“The Arroyo government’s so-called ‘assistance program’ for Filipino workers displaced by the global financial meltdown could be a ruse to divert millions of OFW money to the pockets of corrupt government officials,” said Gabriela Rep. Luz Ilagan.
In a statement, Ilagan said the call to probe the fund was pushed by the alleged “duping” incident in Malacañang last December. Around 100 OFWs laid off from their works in Taiwan were invited to Malacañang supposedly to accept checks amounting to around P50,000 and several gift packages from concerned government agencies.
However, the OFWs alleged that they were asked to return the checks after the press photo opportunity.
The congresswoman demands that Labor and Employment Secretary Marianito Roque and OWWA Administrator Carmelita Dimzon be included in the investigation as they were the ones who escorted the OFWs.
“The incident was a grand show of this government’s insensitivity and further exploitation of migrant workers. The OFWs have already lost their jobs and still they were cruelly used and tricked by the institutions and people they are relying on for help,” said Ilagan.
Ilagan said the P250 million crisis fund came from the P11.2 billion OWWA fund and has accumulated using the US$25 OFW mandatory membership fee.
“Filipino overseas workers should have immediate access to this fund as it came from their own sweat and blood,” said Ilagan.
Ilagan’s party also wants the government and concerned agencies to establish a more responsive program for Filipinos displaced by the global financial crisis.
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