POEA suspends mandatory insurance coverage for rehired, direct hire OFWs

POEA suspends the implementation of the expanded compulsory insurance coverage for Rehired and direct hire OFWs. The directive comes from Migrant Workers Secretary Susan ‘Toots’ Ople

Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople: The suspension will save our ‘balik-manggagawa’ workers and those directly hired by foreign employers at least $35 (₱1,700) worth of mandatory insurance coverage. Malaking ginhawa ito para sa ating OFWs

DMW chief Susan Ople, however, clarified that the mandatory insurance coverage for newly hired OFWs remains valid and in place because this was set by law

Ople: Para malinaw, may dalawang uri ng compulsory insurance. Yung para sa mga bagong OFW na bunga ng naipasang batas, at itong expanded compulsory insurance para sa mga balik-manggagawa at direct hires na nakasaad sa isang lumang department order ng DOLE

“The implementation of the expanded compulsory insurance coverage shall be temporarily suspended pending the consultations and dialogue among the recruitment industry stakeholders, and submission of an offer from the insurance providers, for the improved package of services beneficial to the needs of OFWs.+