OWWA readies livelihood program for Sabah refugees

THE Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has lined up livelihood programs for the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) displaced by the crisis in Sabah.

OWWA Regional Director Hassan Jumdain said the livelihood programs will be a joint undertaking of the National Government, OWWA and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm).

Jumdain said they have yet to determine how many OFWs were displaced by the hostilities when the Malaysian government launched an assault against the Sultanate of Sulu Royal Army.

The Crisis Management Committee (CMC) activated to see the plight of the Filipinos affected by the Sabah crisis has so far listed more than a thousand refugees arrived in Tawi-Tawi.
Meanwhile, Jumdain said they have also laid down plans to help those illegally working in Sabah to become registered members of OWWA.

Only about 50,000 of the estimated 800,000 Filipinos working in Malaysia are registered OWWA members.

A registered OWWA member is entitled to all the privileges and benefits granted by the government to OFWs.

Meanwhile, Jumdain and a top official of the Department of Labor and Employment visited Bongao recently to see the plight of the refugees.

The refugees fled by boats from Sabah as they fear of getting caught in the crossfire. (Bong Garcia)