A LAWMAKER has renewed her call for an inquiry on the status of Filipino workers on death row abroad as well as other concerns on claiming benefits.  

During the House overseas workers committee on Thursday, OFW Party-list Rep. Marissa P. Magsino pushed for the approval of House Resolution 864, calling for a probe, in aid of legislation, on the condition of migrant workers who have been sentenced to death in their respective host countries. 

Ms. Magsino said the investigation must include “an assessment of the various assistance currently being provided by the government in their legal battles and in elevating their concerns and conditions while in incarceration.”  

Meanwhile, a representative of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) group BANSA, Paul Madriaga, told the panel that the families of deceased migrant workers struggle to receive death benefits if they do not have “connections” in government agencies.  

“Sometimes it takes more than six months before they could claim (benefits from the Foreign affairs department). Even in OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration), it takes two to three months before they could claim the worker’s death benefits,” Mr. Madriaga said.  

He added that if the death of their deceased relative is not given extensive media attention, assistance for the family is often delayed.  

There are 83 OFWs currently on death row, mostly relating to cases on murder and drugs, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Paul Raymund P. Cortes told the committee. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz 

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