A member institution that is an attached agency of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) was created with the mandate to protect and to promote the welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) as well as their dependents.
While OFWs need to pay a membership fee, they get a lot of benefits from being an OWWA member.
Photo credit: OWWA Overseas Workers Welfare Administration / Facebook
How to Become an OWWA Member?
OWWA membership can be done through the following:
- Compulsory membership upon processing of contract at the POEA
- Voluntary membership at job-sites located abroad
Members have to pay a fee of US$25, with the membership coverage applicable for up to 2 years; then, you can simply renew the membership fee before the expiration date.
What are the Top Benefits of Being an OWWA Member?
As active OWWA member, you are entitled to the following benefits:
Photo credit: OWWA Overseas Workers Welfare Administration / Facebook
- Life and social benefits
- Coverage of Php100,000 if a member passed due to a natural cause or Php200,000 if due to an accident
- Coverage of Php50,000 for partial disability and Php100,000 for total permanent disability
- Coverage of an additional Php20,000 given to legal heirs for funeral expenses
- Educational benefits for the OFW and/or qualified dependents
- Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP)
- OFW Dependents Scholarship Program (OFW DSP)
- Skills-for-Employment Scholarship Program (SESP)
- Seafarer’s Upgrading Program (SUP)
- Education and Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP)
- Information Technology (IT) Training Program
- Repatriation program for distressed OFWs
- Ticket back to the Philippines
- Airport assistance
- Temporary shelter at the OWWA Halfway House
- Provision for OFW’s trip back to their provinces
Photo credit: OWWA Overseas Workers Welfare Administration / Facebook
- Reintegration program
- Helps OFWs in finding livelihood projects if they want to come home for good
- Provides lending assistance at reasonable rates to start a business
- Skills training
- Community-based income generating projects
- Offers psycho-social services like capacity-building, family counseling, and stress debriefing
