What is OWWA – Overseas Workers Welfare Administration

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is a Philippine government organization that offers social safety and welfare aid to Filipino workers abroad. The organization is entrusted with promoting the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families. It is under the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

In order to achieve this, it offers social protection services, supports the adaptability of OFWs and their families, and offers flexible welfare assistance programs.

Table of Contents

• Goals of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration
• Functions of OWWA
• What are the Programs of OWWA?
• Social Benefits
• Education Benefits
• Livelihood Benefits
• OWWA Membership
• OWWA website
• OWWA Central Office contact details
• Video about the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration
• Related articles:
• FAQ

If you’re an OFW or planning to work abroad, it’s important to know what OWWA is and what services it offers. Read on to learn everything you need to know about this Philippine government agency.

Goals of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration

The OWWA implements livelihood and skills training programs for OFWs and their families in addition to social protection and welfare services. These initiatives are designed to assist OFWs in readjusting to life in the Philippines if they decide to return home permanently.

Functions of OWWA

One of the main functions of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration is to provide social protection services to OFWs. This includes pre-departure orientation seminars (PDOS), which aim to prepare OFWs for their work contracts abroad.

The PDOS covers topics such as the

• nature of work,
• living conditions in the host country, and
• migrant workers’ rights and responsibilities.

OWWA also provides training programs to enhance the skills of OFWs so they can be more competitive in the global labor market. These programs include technical and vocational courses, language classes, and other capacity-building initiatives.

In addition, OWWA maintains a 24/7 hotline—the Balik-Manggagawa Processing Center—that provides assistance to Filipino workers who are returning home or changing employers. The center provides information on job openings, Balik-Manggagawa requirements, and other relevant government regulations.

What are the Programs of OWWA?

The programs offered by OWWA are as follows:

• Social protection,
• Resilience building,
• Welfare assistance, and
• Advocacy.

Social protection programs include the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS), which aims to prepare OFWs for their work contracts abroad. The PDOS covers topics such as the nature of work, living conditions in the host country, and migrant workers’ rights and responsibilities.

In order to improve the abilities of OFWs and make them more competitive on the international job market, OWWA also offers training programs. These programs include classes in technical and vocational fields, language instruction, and other activities aimed at capacity building.

Additionally, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration runs the Balik-Manggagawa Processing Center, a round-the-clock hotline that assists Filipino employees who are going back to their home country or switching jobs. The center offers details on available positions, Balik-Manggagawa specifications, and other relevant legal criteria.

Social Benefits

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration offers a variety of social benefits, such as financial aid, insurance protection, and death and disability compensation.

Financial aid is provided for OFWs who are in need or have been displaced due to natural disasters or conflict circumstances.

Additionally, OFWs can apply for loans to fund capital investments or the start-up of a business.

OFWs can get insurance through OWWA against things like death, incapacity, and repatriation. Additionally, the organization provides funeral and disability compensation to the families of OFWs who pass away or suffer an injury while working abroad.

Education Benefits

In order to provide OFW dependents with access to high-quality education, OWWA offers a number of scholarships and educational support programs.

One of these is the Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP), which offers Full Scholarships to OFW dependents who meet the requirements. The EDSP includes a monthly allowance for living expenses in addition to paying for tuition and other school fees.

Livelihood Benefits

Following is the livelihood benefits provided to OFWs and their dependents by OWWA:

• Active OWWA members can get a maximum of PHP 20,000.
• Inactive OWWA Members, but MORE THAN 1 contribution, you can get a maximum of PHP 10,000.
• Inactive OWWA Members, but only 1 contribution, you can get a maximum of PHP 5,000.

OWWA also offers a variety of programs and services for OFWs to start or grow their enterprises. These entrepreneurship initiatives are designed to assist OFWs in becoming productive and self-sufficient members of society. OFWs who want to start their own businesses can also get loans and financial assistance from the agency.

OWWA Membership

To become an OWWA member, one must pay an OWWA Membership fee which is equal to $25 USD. This fee is mandatory for all OFWs working on land and at sea. This two-year membership fee may be presented at any OWWA office or designated collection agent.

OFWs who have paid the membership fee can receive agency’s social protection, financial support, and training programs.

OWWA website

Here is a link to OWWA Official Website.

OWWA Central Office contact details

• F.B. Harrison St, Pasay, Metro Manila
• OWWA Hotline 1348
• [email protected]

Video about the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration

Related articles:

• Commission on Higher Education
• OWWA Scholarship Program
• DSWD – Department of Social Welfare and Development

FAQ