THE Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) Watch, a non-government organization looking after the welfare of the workers abroad, is set to launch an OFW Watch mobile application at Amya Building along Quimpo Boulevard, Matina, Davao City, Friday, February 2.
OFW Watch founder and head Myrna Padilla, in an interview, said the OFW Watch mobile application is a software program designed to link OFWs in distress, those in need of assistance anywhere in the world, anytime of the day, via mobile gadgets.
"Because of the rapid changes of the community and the use of the Facebook app, the future is the mobile, our team developed this app as a tool to empower OFWs to help themselves and the agencies supporting them," Padilla said.
She said the app is a one-click process for workers abroad who are in distress and/or in trouble, a data sharing, and other means of internet application made easy via mobile phone for the welfare of the OFWs anywhere in the world.
"I believe any technology can be developed to solve a problem and any businesses, if you think about it, exist because of the problem. So, because I was a domestic helper for 20 years, I believe the OFWs need this kind of app," she said.
Padilla said her personal experience of being alone in countries where she earlier worked as domestic helper and led a federation has awakened her subconscious to get connected with her family back home through the social media.
The OFW Watch mobile app includes an SOS (Save Our Soul) and Journal that is useful for the workers abroad, Padilla said, adding that workers can easily reach the Philippine Consulate and other governments agencies for their concern.
OFW Watch, in partnership with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (Owwa) and the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole), will work together in operating technological solutions to address OFWs' concerns.
Padilla said concerned government agencies will work together to give OFWs access to Owwa-related services through appropriate Application Programming Interfaces to make it OFW-friendly courtesy of OFW Watch.
The OFW Watch also urged OFWs to download the OFW Watch mobile app and be connected.