Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 1) — A labor group wants overseas Filipino workers exempted from paying mandatory PhilHealth contributions especially with the recent hike that took effect this month.
“Napakabigat po nito lalong-lalo na para sa ating mga overseas Filipino workers sapagkat sila po lahat, 100% sa kanilang balikat po ang pagbabayad ng premium na ito,” Federation of Free Workers president Sonny Matula told CNN Philippines on Wednesday.
[Translation: This is heavy especially for our overseas Filipino workers as they shoulder premium payments 100%.]
This set-up contrasts with that of Filipinos working locally and splitting monthly payments with their employers, Matula added.
“Hindi naman po nila nae-enjoy itong PhilHealth kung nasa ibang bansa sila. Kaya po sayang pagbabayad nila na hindi nila nae-enjoy at dapat boluntaryo lamang kung kasali ang OFWs natin,” he further explained.
[Translation: They don’t really get to enjoy these PhilHealth benefits if they’re in another country. Thus, it makes no sense that the OFWs are paying full contributions and it should just be voluntary on their part to do that.]
Matula expressed support for a measure proposed by House Ways and Means Committee chairman Rep. Joey Salceda seeking to overhaul the PhilHealth system.
House Bill 7570, which Salceda is the principal author of, sought the exemption of OFWs from mandatory contributions and the ₱100 in monthly premiums for minimum wage earners.
The solon said he will be refiling the said bill with amendments in the 19th Congress.
