CIFAL Philippines - Challenges to and Opportunities for Reintegrating Overseas Filipino Workers
Type
Webinar
Location
Web-based
Date
Price
$0.00
Event Focal Point Email
cifalphilippines@up.edu.ph
Partnership
CIFAL Philippines
Registration
Public – by registration
Mode of Delivery
E-learning
Language(s)
English
Pillar
People
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"The Philippines is one of the largest labor migrant origin countries in the world as evidenced by millions of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) contributing over 30 billion US dollars in remittances annually. While much attention is given to OFW remittances and how they contribute to national development, many OFWs face substantial challenges as they try to rebuild themselves during reintegration. Reintegration, a process which often marks the beginning of a complex transition to the community, is among the significant and often overlooked aspect of a migrant’s journey. Currently, the Philippine government has several reintegration programs and services including livelihood assistance, psychosocial services, and support for entrepreneurial ventures. However, despite these efforts, several challenges impact successful reintegration. Among these challenges include fragmented implementation of reintegration services, insufficient access to comprehensive data on returning OFWs, financial instability, limited employment opportunities, and social and health concerns. On the other hand, there are also significant opportunities to empower OFWs upon their return. Many OFWs return with valuable skills, knowledge, and experiences that can be channeled into entrepreneurship, local governance, and community development. With structured support and training, OFWs could further contribute to regional growth by investing in and developing local industries. This webinar brings together various migration stakeholders, including but not limited to, migrant workers and their families, government, non-government and civil society organizations, faith-based communities, academe, and the general public to discuss the challenges and opportunities of reintegrating OFWs. To streamline the overarching theme, an interview with a returning migrant will be used to put it into context. In addition, the group will discuss two major sub-topics to dig deeper into the challenges to and opportunities for reintegrating OFWs such as: ● Sub-topic 1: Reintegration: Definitions and Related Concepts; ● Sub-topic 2: Reintegration Programs and Services of Government and Non-government/International Organizations ● Sub-topic 2: Reintegration Experiences and Challenges of Returned Overseas Filipino Workers and Their Families. By focusing on comprehensive strategies, we aim to propose actionable recommendations to address the challenges and maximize opportunities of OFW reintegration."
"The webinar aims to comprehensively identify the challenges and opportunities overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) face on their return to the Philippines and draw recommendations to ‘smoothen’ their reintegration into Philippine society. Specifically, the webinar intends to: ● analyze the economic, psychosocial, and cultural challenges faced by OFWs, including job loss, underemployment, and financial difficulties; ● identify potential role of actors in the migration cycle by providing support services to OFWs during and after their successful reintegration; ● develop policy recommendations for addressing the challenges and maximizing opportunities of OFW reintegration; and ● advocate for the creation of a comprehensive social safety net for OFWs and their families."
"Welcome remarks delivered by Michelle R. Palumbarit, Ph.D., Director, UP-CIFAL Philippines Background and Objectives delivered by Abegail de Vega, Department of Migrant Workers Introduction provided by Danilo Garcia, Department of Migrant Workers Reintegration: Definitions and Related Concepts delivered by Consorcia dela Cruz, Health Carousel Philippines, Health Carousel Foundation, DAISY Foundation Researches for this segment are: Andrea Aira Aure, Embassy of Ireland in the Philippines; Mylene Buensuceso, International Organization for Migration (IOM), Philippines; and Mahvrick de Leon, Department of Migrant Workers, Philippines Reintegration Programs and Services: Government delivered by Abegail de Vega Researches for this segment are: Andrea Aira Aure, Mylene Buensuceso, and Consorcia dela Cruz Reintegration Programs and Services: Non-government and International Organizations delivered by Oscar Anthony David, Department of Migrant Workers Researches for this segment are: Andrea Aira Aure, Mylene Buensuceso, and Consorcia dela Cruz Reintegration Experiences and Challenges of Returned Overseas Filipino Workers and Their Families delivered by Jessie Fabro, Department of Migrant Workers Researcher for this sement is Isabelle Calalang, Embassy of Ireland in the Philippines Conclusions delivered by Isabelle Calalang, Embassy of Ireland in the Philippines Researchers for this segment are: Edwin Anoso, Department of Health, Philippines; Isabelle Calalang; Alpha Sophia Tinga, Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippines; and Consorcia dela Cruz Recommendations presented by Danilo Garcia, and Rosita Villaluz, Department of Labor and Employment Researchers for this segment are: Mylene Buensuceso, Oscar Anthony David, Danilo Garcia, Lovely Mores of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), and Rosita Villauz Question & Answer facilitated by the Moderator, Julienne Cavida, Department of Migrant Workers. She also delivered the Synthesis of the webinar "
This webinar is held online via Zoom. Participants will be required to register before attending.
"● Migrant workers (potential and current) and their families ● Other migrants (retirees) ● State actors ● Employers/Private sector ● Recruitment agencies ● Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) ● Civil society organizations (CSOs) ● Faith-based communities ● Academia ● Researchers ● Media ● General public"