PAG-IBIG contribution required para sa OEC
Filipinos told to pay housing fund before going on vacation
Monday, 05 September 2011 02:35
DOHA: Filipino workers in Qatar are now required to pay for the membership of the Philippine government housing programme fund before they are allowed to go on vacation back home.
An agreement between the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency and the Home Development Mutual Fund, more known as PAG-IBIG Fund, has made it mandatory for Overseas Filipino Workers to register as Fund member before they will be given an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC).
A PAG-IBIG Fund desk at the Philippine Overseas Labour Office in Bin Omran is facilitating vacationing OFWs who will register their membership before they will be issued the OEC. The mandatory membership which took effect since March 2010 can be also filed online through existing IREMIT agents and Skyfreight Cargo Forwarder offices in Qatar.
The agreement also covers collection of PAG-IBIG membership contributions to new OFWs leaving for abroad with a minimum of 100 pesos fee.
According to Philippine officials, the PAG-IBIG fund is a convenient savings system for the ordinary Filipino worker of which monthly contributions earn them annual dividends which are credited to the member’s accounts. These savings are tax-free and government guaranteed and shall remain in the member’s name even if the member transfers employment or lose job. Officials said the fund has provided economic relief to OFW members repatriated from Libya by giving them early withdrawal of their total accumulated savings or six months moratorium on multi-purpose loan and housing loan payments.
“With the expansion of membership coverage, we are able to extend to all OFWs the same opportunities granted only to PAG-IBIG members to save for their family’s need in the future and acquire their own homes in the country,” said lawyer Darlene Marue Berberabe, PAG-IBIG Chief Executive Officer.
THE PENINSULA
