OFWs in Hong Kong slam POEA's mandatory insurance order


A group of OFWs in Hong Kong has denounced the mandatory insurance the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration has imposed on migrant workers.
During a protest action held at the Philippine Consulate General recently, a group lead by UNIFIL-MIGRANTE-HK denounced what they consider as new imposition that would squeeze OFWs dry of their hard-earned money, amid rising inflation and a host of fees being exacted by the government. 
Under the POEA Governing Board Resolution No. 4, all returning OFWs with the same employer, or have moved to another, must register with POEA, they must provide a passport valid for at least six months, a valid working visa, and a certificate of insurance coverage similar to that required of those leaving for their first job abroad.
“The new POEA order on mandatory insurance is just another money-making scheme for the already burdened OFWs that can very well even cost us our job,” said Dolores Balladares-Pelaez, chairperson of United Filipinos in Hong Kong (UNIFIL-MIGRANTE-HK), regarding the POEA resolution enforcing a mandatory insurance for OFWs, on top of the insurance from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.
Pelaez pointed out that they are not against the insurance as it can benefit the OFWs. But it should not be made mandatory and even a requirement. —LBG, GMA enws

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