by Leo A. Deocadiz
 |
| Labatt Chavez delivering his accomplishment report at the forum |
The Migrant Workers Office has released $4.3 million of AKSYON Fund to 661 beneficiaries in Hong Kong in the last nine months, most of them receiving money within an hour of applying, Labor Attache Cesar Chavez Jr. told a community leaders’ forum today.
“When you ask for
help and your supporting documents are complete, the money will be released
immediately. You can wait for it. No need to return another day,” he said. “Processing
will just take minutes; an hour will be too long,” he said.
MWO continues to process AKSYON Fund (Agarang Kalinga at
Saklolo para sa mga OFW na Nangangailangan), which is designed to provide
immediate legal, medical, and emergency financial assistance to distressed or
displaced OFWs.
 |
| DETAILS HERE |
Standard payouts include:
- ₱50,000 for regular distressed employment situations.
- ₱75,000 for workers who become seriously ill or are in warlike zones.
- ₱100,000 in bereavement assistance for the next of kin of deceased workers.
- $200 USD (about ₱12,000) for immediate employment shocks, such as those affected by Middle East tensions.
 |
| Press for details |
Part of such assistance is MWO giving lawyers for OFWs facing
court charges. At present, 17 cases are pending, one has been dismissed, and
four are on trial.
“We are giving lawyers for cases that are in already in
court. Those waiting for hearing, we give them retained lawyers or duty lawyers
(who are funded by the Hong Kong government),” Chavez said.
This way, he said, they avoid giving lawyers to OFWs who would
be pleading guilty anyway; they cost $100,000.
 |
| Basahin ang detalye! |
“We are giving lawyers only to those who want to fight for
their rights,” he added.
Chaves also said the MWO has verified 75,552 individual employment
contracts during the first nine months of 2026.
A vast majority of these contracts -- 75, 214 -- were for domestic workers. Only 124 contracts were for professional and skilled workers and 214 were for semi-skilled workers.
The MWO is thus adjusting the requirements for employment
agencies when it resumes accreditation on Oct. 23, four months after suspending
it last June 22.
“We had 814 foreign recruitment agencies in Hong Kong when we issued the moratorium,” he said. “We are planning to resume this coming Oct. 23 but only for applicants who will be hiring skilled workers also. Hindi na pwedeng katulong lang (Hiring only domestic workers will no longer suffice). They should strive to recruit skilled workers.”
Among the accredited agencies, he said, seven have been suspended.
He pointed to one agency whose accreditation has been
suspended for refusing to process the subsistence allowance sought by an OFW facing
a case in court.
Under Philippine law, OFWs whose mandatory insurance is in
force are entitled to US$100 per month for six months while they have a pending
case.
Now, he said, the agency owner is trying to seek a meeting
with him. “Why talk to me? They should first do their obligation and then we’ll
talk,” he said.
 |
| Statistics provided by Chavez shows how the Aksyon Fund is disbursed |
Chavez also listed other improvements at the MWO, among them:
- Special licensing examinations are being planned for more under-board graduates such as nurses, architects and engineers to enhance their status so they will have better jobs and bigger incomes. Almost 300 passed the last licensure exam for teachers. In the test held recently, “we had 314 who took the exam. We hope for a lot of passers,” he said.
- The online system for Balik Manggagawa makes it easier for OFWs to verify their contracts and avoid problems with Philippine Immigration, which has tightened the screening of people leaving the country because of increasing cases of surrogacy, illegal recruitment and trafficking.
- A new queueing system that will prevent OFWs having to fall in long lines. “Now you only need to get a number, and then you can do your other errands outside the office and return only when your number will soon be called,” he said.
- An investigation is ongoing on a report that several OFWs who entered Hong Kong as domestic workers have been seen working in Wanchai as waitresses. “Be assured that employment agencies that do not folow our regulations will be penalized,” he said.
- MWO renovation will begin shortly at no expense to the government as it will be paid for by landlord.
