Latest news with #RaffyTulfo
Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Soon, overseas Filipino workers to get free annual checkups
Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), including those based in the UAE, will soon receive free annual medical check-ups through the Philippine Department of Migrant Workers' (DMW) Aksyon Fund, it was announced on Friday. DMW minister Hans Leo Cacdac made the announcement during a Senate inquiry probing 'irregularities in pre-employment medical examinations and alleged abusive practices by some clinics (in the Philippines),' according to a report by the Philippine News Agency (PNA). Cacdac told senator Raffy Tulfo the free medical check-up will be covered by Aksyon (Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFWs na Nangangailangan) fund, a key financial support mechanism for OFWs needing urgent assistance abroad. Cacdac assured the routine health monitoring for OFWs during their deployment and prior to repatriation will also be covered. Tulfo, meanwhile, urged the DMW to institutionalise the initiative through a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Philippine Department of Health (DOH) 'to ensure greater oversight and regulation of medical clinics conducting OFW health clearances.' 'Medical clinics should have prior coordination with and obtain approval from the DOH,' Tulfo added. OFWs are estimated to be around 15 million across the world. They have a significant presence in the UAE, believed to be more than 700,000 individuals – of which, approximately 450,000 reside in Dubai alone. Overseas Filipinos help keep the Philippine economy afloat. As reported by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (central bank), OFWs sent a record $38.34 billion in remittances to the Philippines last year, marking a 3 per cent increase from the $37.21 billion recorded in 2023. Among the contributors are those from the US, Singapore, KSA, Japan, UK and the UAE.
Filipino Times
02-03-2025
- Business
- Filipino Times
Sen. Raffy Tulfo conducts surprise inspection at PH Consulate in Dubai, calls for improved services for OFWs
Senate Committee on Migrant Workers Chairperson Sen. Raffy Tulfo conducted an unannounced inspection at the Philippine Consulate in Dubai to assess the efficiency of services provided to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). The visit focused on the operations of the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), institutions crucial to assisting OFWs. Concerns raised by OFWs In a news release, Tulfo said he was met with a wave of concerns from OFWs waiting for contract verification services. Many raised issues regarding long processing times, scheduling delays, and customer service quality. Addressing the concerns, Tulfo called on Assistant Labor Attaché Jeane Mendoza to enhance service efficiency and improve the treatment of OFWs seeking assistance. He underscored that many workers visiting the MWO had already experienced challenges in their workplaces, and they should be met with understanding and prompt support at the consulate. Immediate actions, recommendations Another major concern raised was the three-month waiting period for contract verification appointments. The senator emphasized the urgency of streamlining the process to reduce delays and ensure that more OFWs receive timely assistance. He also took note of the long wait for payment receipts after contract verification processing. To address this, he ordered that receipts be issued immediately upon payment to prevent unnecessary delays. Upon learning that MWO operations on Fridays were only for half a day, he immediately contacted Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac to propose extending office hours. Cacdac promptly agreed to implement full-day Friday operations to increase service efficiency. Meanwhile, Assistant Labor Attaché Mendoza assured the senator that the recommendations would be acted upon immediately. Before concluding his visit, Tulfo committed to recommending additional staffing at MWO Dubai to Secretary Cacdac, with the goal of expediting transactions and enhancing overall service efficiency. Prior to this visit, Tulfo also conducted an ocular inspection at the MWO in Riyadh.
