CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, LA UNION – The Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC) joined the celebration of the 21st Migrant Workers’ Day held at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Convention Hall on June 7, 2016.
The event, participated by 200 attendees from various OFW Family Circles, was spearheaded by the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration I (OWWA I) with support from other members of the DOLE family of agencies and other selected government agencies that provide assistance to OFWs.
June 7 marks the date of signing of Republic Act No. 8042 or the Migrant Workers’ Act of 1995.
In line with its mission to bring its services closer to covered OFWs, the ECC Regional Extension Unit I set up a public assistance booth for information dissemination through one-on-one consultations and IEC distributions.
According to ECC Executive Director Stella Zipagan-Banawis, the ECP’s coverage extends to sea-based OFWs whose manning agencies in the Philippines remit monthly EC premiums to the Social Security System at the rate of P10.00 or P30.00 depending on the overseas seafarer’s salary.
Under the ECP, overseas seafarer’s who suffered work-connected contingencies are entitled to a comprehensive set of benefits that includes loss of income benefits, medical and death benefits. They may also avail of non-monetary benefits in the form of the KaGabay Program services.
The KaGabay is a special economic assistance program whereby Persons with Work-Related Disabilities are evaluated and referred to various institutions for appropriate rehabilitation services which include physical restoration, or the provision of physical and occupational therapy, prosthesis, and assistive devices, and livelihood training to help them achieve functional independence and become socially and economically productive.
“Through convergence programs with other government and private institutions, beneficiaries now have easier access to programs and services offered by the ECC,” DOLE Secretary and ECC Chair Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz explained.
This year’s MWD theme, Salamat OFW, Saludo Kami sa Inyo, commemorates the many sacrifices of OFWs and their continuing contribution to the Philippine economy.
End/Chad