It's a long-standing narrative about the nature of Filipino overseas work, and one that needs to finally change, a retired labor official with over 40 years of service in the sector has said.

In Thursday's Daily Tribune's episode of Usapang OFW, former labor attachè Resty dela Fuente heaped praises on the late Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Susan "Toots" Ople over her advocacy to change the mindset about OFWs.

"Prior to her becoming secretary, we had had conversations about the issue, and she hoped that the narrative of Filipino overseas work finally changed," Dela Fuente said.

"Why is the OFW always the victim? Can't they be winners? Why is it always about conflict? Secretary Ople's advocacy had been to change this," he said.

When Ople assumed office in the DMW, she had promised to make her office "a home for OFWs" and vowed to open dialogues and launch partnerships with various stakeholders to further improve the welfare of OFWs.

He agrees that these should be the priorities to change the narrative.

"What is needed is continuous consultation. We have to build on Secretary Ople's efforts to talk to all stakeholders. Agencies and OFWs, employers and OFWs — they should not have to be in conflict," he added.

Dela Fuente also stressed the need to build on the capacity of labor officials to execute their duties so that they can address problems on the ground.

There is also a need to strengthen our reintegration efforts, he added.

"I hope they put more emphasis on savings promotion and asset-building. OFWs should be taught to save and build assets here so that when they come home, whether planned or out of necessity or emergency, they don't come home to zero," Dela Fuente said.

Republic Act 11741, or the Department of Migrant Workers Act, states: "The State does not promote overseas employment as a means to economic growth and national development and shall continuously aim to make it a choice and not a necessity. The state shall institute measures that will strengthen the domestic labor market for the effective reintegration of overseas Filipino workers."

"Let's make OFWs the real winners instead of losers," Dela Fuente said.