Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 10801)
The short title of Republic Act No. 10801 is the "Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Act".
The principal beneficiaries of the OWWA are Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families.
The membership contribution to the OWWA is twenty-five US dollars (US$ 25.00) or its equivalent in the prevailing foreign exchange rates.
The main functions of the OWWA are to protect the welfare of member-OFWs, provide legal assistance, social and welfare programs, respond to emergencies affecting OFWs, ensure viability of the OWWA Fund, conduct studies for OFW welfare, finance projects for OFWs, and implement laws and conventions within its jurisdiction.
An Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) is a person who is to be engaged, is engaged, or has been engaged in a remunerated activity in a foreign state or on a foreign vessel, other than government ships used for military or noncommercial purposes.
Membership is effective until the expiration of the OFW's existing employment contract or two years from the payment date, whichever comes first.
Dependents include the legal spouse, legitimate, illegitimate, legitimated, and legally adopted children who are unmarried and not gainfully employed, and parents who rely primarily on the member-OFW for support.
Violations can lead to revocation of the agency's license and perpetual disqualification of its officers and directors from recruitment business, without prejudice to other liabilities under existing laws.
The Board includes the Secretary of Labor and Employment (Chairperson), OWWA Administrator (Vice Chairperson), Secretaries of Foreign Affairs, Finance, Budget and Management, the POEA Administrator, representatives of land-based and sea-based OFWs, women sector, land-based recruitment sector, and sea-based manning sector.
Benefits include reintegration programs, repatriation assistance, loan and credit assistance, workers assistance and on-site services, death and disability benefits, health care benefits, education and training benefits, and social services.
No OFW shall be denied membership because of age, gender, religion, or political affiliation. The OWWA shall take affirmative steps to ensure access for all.
The OWWA Fund consists of membership contributions, fees, investment income and other sources. It is a private trust fund exempt from the government's one fund doctrine and not part of the national government’s general fund.
OWWA maintains Regional and On-site Welfare Offices located under the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs) of DOLE.
Disbursements are at the discretion of the OWWA Board for the welfare of member-OFWs and their families, and must be transparent with regular reporting to Congress and the President.
No, all benefits and OWWA properties are exempt from taxes, fees, legal attachments, garnishments, levy, or seizure, except to pay debts owed to the OWWA.