Overseas Filipino workers are assured of greater protection amid the global health crisis with the expanded compulsory insurance coverage for rehires or “balik-manggagawa” and direct hires.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, who chairs the governing board of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), said on Sunday the guidelines have been issued implementing the Expanded Compulsory Insurance Coverage for Rehires and Direct Hires.
“The pandemic has left our migrant workers vulnerable to various risks and perils. By expanding the compulsory insurance coverage, we aim to extend the protection to all OFWs, at no cost to our workers,” Bello said.
The insurance policy shall be effective for the duration of the migrant worker’s employment contract and assure coverage in case of death, disability, repatriation, medical emergency, and litigation.
It provides for at least $15,000 in survivor’s benefit in case of accidental death; at least $10,000 in case of natural death; and at least $7,500 in disability benefit.
The insurance policy also covers repatriation, including transport of the worker’s personal belongings, when his or her employment is terminated by the employer without any valid cause or terminated by the employee with just cause.
In case of death, the insurance provider shall arrange and pay for the repatriation or return of the worker’s remains.
It also provides for subsistence allowance benefit of at least $100 per month for a maximum of six months for a migrant worker who is involved in a case or litigation, and money claims arising from the employer’s liability which may be awarded or given to the worker in a judgment or settlement of his/her case in the National Labor Relations Commission.