DUBAI // The rights group Migrante UAE has organised a forum for Friday to shed light on contentious issues involving Philippine government services.
Representatives from the Home Development Mutual Fund, or Pag-Ibig, and the Social Security System (SSS) have been invited to discuss their services and respond to questions from the public on recent changes.
Last month, members of the mutual fund were asked to pay a Dh20 fee directly to its authorised remittance partners.
Previously, a fund representative in Dubai or Abu Dhabi would accept the minimum monthly contribution of 100 pesos (Dh10) from overseas Filipino workers, who can choose to contribute more.
Philippine Health Insurance has increased its annual premiums to 2,400 pesos from 1,200 pesos, and SSS has lifted its premiums by 0.6 per cent a month, starting last month.
“Pag-Ibig contributions should be optional and voluntary,” said Lailyn Lopez, secretary general of Migrante UAE.
“The government should also stop the increase in both PhilHealth and SSS premiums, which are an additional burden to us.”
Lowella Recto, the fund’s representative in Dubai, said the forum would be a good venue to explain the move and highlight the benefits to members that accrue because of their contributions.
“Initially, many were against paying their membership fees at exchange centres,” Ms Recto said.
“But we’ve now received some favourable feedback from many Filipinos who now prefer to pay at a nearby exchange centre or use their credit card to pay online.”
Monthly contributions to the fund earn annual dividends that are credited to the member’s account.
But Ms Lopez said requiring Filipinos to pay membership fees constituted state exaction.
“We are calling on our fellow Filipinos here in the UAE to make a firm stand on this issue,” she said.
“We are here to earn a living for our families and not to serve as our government’s milking cows.”
The forum takes place at the Dream Palace Hotel in Deira, from 2pm to 6pm.
rruiz@thenational.ae
