THE PRESIDENT OF UNITED ARAB EMIRATES APPROVED A LAWS THAT PROTECT THE OFW'S

The OWWA membership entitles an OFW to the following benefits within the contract period which is usually 2 years, which can also be renewed by paying the contribution again.

A. Insurance and Health-Care Program Benefits

a. Life/Accident Insurance
A member is covered with life insurance for the duration of his employment contract. The coverage includes P100,000.00 for death due to natural cause and P200,000.00 for accidental death while working overseas.

b. Disability and Dismemberment Benefits

A member shall be entitled to disability/dismemberment benefits of up to Php 100,000 for injuries sustained while working.

c. Total Disability Benefit
In case of total permanent disability, a member shall be entitled to P100,000.00

d. Burial Benefit A burial benefit of P20,000.00 shall be provided in case of the member's death.

B. Scholarships, Training and Incentive Programs

a) Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP)

Scholarships for qualified dependents of OFWs consisting of a maximum of Php 60,000.00 per school year, leading to a four-to-five year baccalaureate course in any college or university.

b) OFW Dependents Scholarship Program (OFWDSP)

Scholarships consisting of a maximum of Php 20,000.00 assistance per school year leading to a baccalaureate or associate degree in a state college or university. OFW parents must have a monthly salary of not more than US$400.00.

c) Education and Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP) Scholarships for survivors of deceased OFWs consisting of Php 5,000.00 for elementary, Php 8,000.00 for high school, Php 10,000.00 for college (per school year) and livelihood assistance of Php 15,000.00 for the surviving spouse.

Short-Term Training Programs for OFWs and Dependents

a) Skills-for-Employment Scholarship Program (SESP) - Scholarships for attendance to short-term training program consisting of a maximum of Php 14,500.00 per course leading to the completion of a vocational or technical course in any school accredited by TESDA.

b) Information Technology Program - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills training the purpose of which is to bridge the communication gap through the use of internet between the OFW and his/her family. Through this program, they learn how to use basic applications like Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

WORKERS WELFARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

A. On-Site Welfare Case Management Includes requests for assistance on OFWs' whereabouts, pyscho-social counseling, conciliation, airport assistance, hospital/prison/work camp visitations and legal assistance to OFWs who wish to pursue labor / welfare case in the court of the host country.

B. In-Country Welfare Case Management Includes requests by families and NOKs (next-of-kin) for assistance from Post, post-repatriation assistance, counseling, referrals, and other concerns. Requests for assistance from NOKs or from OFWs can be channeled through the 24/7 Operation Center and the OWWA Regional Offices.

*Reintegration Preparedness (On-Site)

Includes trainings on value formation, financial literacy, entrepreneurial development training (EDT), techno-skills and capacity building trainings.

*Reintegration (In-Country)
Consists of job referrals (local and overseas employment), business counseling, community organizing, financial literacy seminar, networking with support institutions and social preparation programs. Reintegration Program is being implemented by OWWA and DOLE-National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO).

2 Billion-Peso Reintegration Fund for enterprise development is a loan facility in cooperation with the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines, where a member or their legal dependent can avail of Php 300,000.00 to Php 2 million.

"Balik-Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay" is a program of DOLE-OWWA where displaced / distressed workers can avail of either starter kits worth Php 7,500.00 or a livelihood assistance of Php 10,000.00.