Question & AnswerQ&A (POEA GOVERNING BOARD Resolution NO. 01)
The resolution aims to authorize the POEA Administrator to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) for implementing the per contract policy on OWWA membership contributions for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
They adopted the per contract policy for assessing OWWA membership contributions to provide adequate welfare and protection programs and services to OFWs deployed overseas.
All contract workers deployed overseas, whether land-based or sea-based, including those under renewed or extended contracts, are required to pay the membership contributions.
The uniform membership fee is US$25 or its peso equivalent based on the applicable conversion rate agreed upon in the OWWA Memorandum of Instruction No. 104, Series of 1991.
No, returning workers on vacation, holidays, emergency leave, or similar reasons who are returning to complete their original contract are exempt from paying the membership contribution again.
The policy covers all contracts, including new, renewed, or extended contracts whether express or implied, for both land-based and sea-based overseas Filipino workers.
The POEA is tasked with cooperating to ensure efficient collection of contributions and the POEA Administrator is authorized to enter into an agreement with OWWA for the policy's implementation after considering viability and legal implications.
The membership fee of US$25 is converted to its peso equivalent based on the applicable conversion rate as agreed under a previous agreement with the sea-based and land-based sectors, ensuring uniformity and fairness in payment.
OWWA Memorandum of Instruction No. 104, Series of 1991 embodied the agreement regarding the applicable conversion rate for the membership contributions.
The resolution was signed by Bienvenido E. Laguesma (Secretary of Labor and Employment and Chairman of the Board), Reynaldo A. Regalado, Ezekiel T. Alunen, Vicente F. Aldanese, Patricia A. Sto. Tomas, and Rosalina Villamorel (GB Secretary).