News Release - April 30, 2005
References: Connie Bragas-Regalado, Chairperson
Contact Numbers: 415-1924 and 0927-2157392
Vince Borneo, Information Officer, 0927-7968198

First death due to OWWA Omnibus Policies
MIGRANTE joins protests also to commemorate
OFW who died on May 1 '04

The MIGRANTE Sectoral Party joins workers in pressing for a P125 wage increase in the May Day protests tomorrow and to commemorate the first year death anniversary of a female overseas Filipino worker (OFW) due to the current administration's abominable policies at the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

"Former OFW Josephine Asis Nariz died in May 1, 2004 of curable colon cancer after being turned away by high officials of the OWWA. After being forced to work abroad for 11 years, Nariz died on Labor Day, thanks to the heartless leadership of the OWWA," said MIGRaANTE Sectoral Party Chairperson Connie Bragas-Regalado.

A native of Brgy. Manangli, Sipocot, Camarines Sur, the late Nariz came home after working as a domestic helper in Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong. She finally succumbed to cancer after seven months fighting hard to live in her home.

"Nariz worked as a domestic helper for almost 11 years but came home very weak in September 29, 2003. She already had colon cancer. According to her doctors, she only had until March 2004 to live. Despite pleas from her family and pressure from Migrante, OWWA officials did not relent and refused to give appropriate attention and assistance to the late Nariz due to a mere technicality," Bragas-Regalado said.

MIGRANTE pointed to the Omnibus Policies instituted by the OWWA Board of Trustees in September 19, 2003 that authorized the welfare agency to scale down and/or delete medical assistance and other services to OWWA members who are "active members" with live work contracts.

"These Omnibus Policies has technically rendered hundreds of thousands of OFWs and their families without benefits and services. OFWs like Nariz are branded inactive members once they finish their contracts or are terminated - a technicality mandated by these Omnibus Policies," Bragas-Regalado said.

Former OWWA Administrator Virgilio Angelo consistently denied medical assistance for the ailing Nariz, shelling out only P10,000 from the trust fund.

"The OWWA's denial of timely medical assistance resulted to Nariz' death. Blame goes only to OWWA high officials for her death and the untimely loss of a mother for her only son," Bragas-Regalado said.

MIGRANTE, along with OFWs and their families, are lobbying for both a P125 legislated wage increase and the immediate scrapping of the Omnibus Policies.

"These policies spell the death of OFWs and their families urgently needing medical assistance. We do not want more cases like that of Josephine Asis Nariz. The OWWA Omnibus Policies, just like all other anti-worker laws and measures, must be scrapped," Bragas-Regalado concluded. #