Press Release
December 12, 2007

OFWs should save P250 from fees
Villar hits excessive collection of fees from OFWs

Senate President Manny Villar today asked officials of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to explain why the agency is collecting excessive fees from overseas Filipino workers with fees not reflecting the continued appreciation of the peso.

Villar issued this statement upon learning that POEA is still using the former rate of P51 to $1 as basis for the conversion of the $25 Overseas Workers Welfare Administration membership fee, which is equivalent to P1,275.

"Why are they collecting P1,275 from OFWs when in fact, with the prevailing rate of $1 is to P41, they should only be collecting P1,025 or a difference of P250," Villar said.

Villar noted that of the average 3,000 Filipinos leaving the country to work abroad, POEA is collecting P750,000 more from OFWs.

"I am appealing to the POEA to immediately correct this practice and show more compassion to the hardships and plight of OFWs who need to toil hard labor overseas," Villar said.

This prompted Villar to file Senate Proposed Resolution 247 urging the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development to look into the reported excessive collection of processing fees from OFWs with the objective of formulating more caring, meaningful and truly labor-friendly social legislation for overseas Filipinos.

"The strengthening of the peso has already adversely affected the income of the OFWs. Let us not cause them further suffering with the imposition of unfair fees," he said.

The Nacionalista Party President also called for the auditing of the collected fees to ensure that the same redounded to the welfare of the OFWs and their families.

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