Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) should have the genuine freedom to choose whether to continue working abroad or return home for good, with those who come back assured of jobs, livelihood opportunities and government support.

“Our OFWs deserve the opportunity to choose — if they want to return and live in the Philippines after many years of working abroad, there should be jobs, livelihoods and opportunities waiting for them,” Go said as he co-sponsored the proposed Bagong Balikbayan Act on 25 August.

As one of the measure’s authors, Go supported establishing a Comprehensive, Integrated and Sustainable Reintegration Program for OFWs, saying government assistance must go beyond simply bringing distressed or returning workers home.

“It is not enough to simply call them modern-day heroes. We need to provide them with concrete support and ensure that when they return home, there is a clear path forward, with the government standing by their side,” he said.

Home may mean new woes

Go acknowledged the sacrifices of migrant workers who spend years away from their families while contributing to the economy through remittances. But returning home can bring new difficulties, including finding jobs that match skills and experience gained overseas or establishing sustainable businesses and livelihoods.

He said the problem became particularly evident during the Covid-19 pandemic, when many OFWs were suddenly forced to return.

“We saw this during the pandemic, when they were suddenly sent home and our OFWs really struggled,” Go said.

Under the proposed measure, government programs for returning OFWs would be integrated to provide sustained assistance for employment, livelihood, and reintegration. Their skills, qualifications and overseas experience would also be recognized and utilized in the domestic labor market.