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The OFW Lounge is set up by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and the Department of Migrant Workers together with the Manila International Airport Authority to provide a designated place for OFWs at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. The said lounge is located at NAIA Terminals 1 and 3 to help Overseas Filipino migrant workers relax and feel comfortable during their waiting time at the airport.

Moreover, the OFW Lounge is designed to offer excellent amenities including cozy seats, power outlets, charging docks, Wi-Fi access, and other services to cater to the needs of OFWs before their flight. The information desk will address all concerns and questions from OFWs so they can have a hassle-free trip. The goal is to make these modern-day heroes experience the VIP services that they deserve.

Benefits

OFWs play a key role in the economic growth of the Philippines. Their remittances support our country’s finances while contributing greatly towards our economy. The work that every OFW renders in their host country gives them valuable skills which is advantageous for our country’s workforce as well.

As an OWWA initiative project, the OFW Lounge is designed to provide VIP lounge services so OFWs are comfortable as they wait for their departure. In addition to its amenities, the lounge also promotes a community for Filipino migrant workers wherein they can connect and access resources, information, and tips related to working abroad.

Here are the benefits of having the OFW lounge at the airport:

• Enjoy comfortable seating and a fast Wi-Fi connection.
• Use multiple power outlets and charging docks.
• Get helpful tips and resources for overseas employment.
• Cozy setup for relaxation while waiting for boarding.

The spacious sofa and availability of charging docks are important so OFWs can charge their phones while waiting to board the plane. In case their flights are canceled, they can stay at the lounge and get updates from the information desk regarding their flights. The staff is always ready to assist you with your concerns, inquiries, and other related needs.

What to Expect at the OFW Lounge

When you visit the new OFW Lounge at the NAIA Terminal 1 and 3, you will immediately feel the relaxing ambiance of the space. You can maximize your phone use and other gadgets with the charging docks, power outlets, and free internet connection. Get some good rest with the comfortable seating design.

If you have questions regarding your flight, you can proceed to the information desk and get a quick response from the staff. The online community is also helpful in terms of connecting with fellow OFWs so you can meet and learn from each other’s experiences abroad. You can also find a lot of resources and information that you may need.

Whether you’re arriving or leaving the country, you can enjoy the lounge services for OFWs at the NAIA Terminals 1 and 3. This exclusive waiting area will be a more common site in many airports in the Philippines, so expect more lounges to be built for our modern-day heroes.

How to Access the OFW Lounge in NAIA Airport

To ensure a seamless and hassle-free experience, follow these simple steps to access the OFW lounge at NAIA Terminals 1 and 3:

1. Arrive at the Airport: Reach the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Make sure you have enough time before your flight to enjoy the lounge’s amenities.
2. Locate the Lounge: For Terminal 1, head to the 4th floor, situated next to the pre-departure area. If you are at Terminal 3, the lounge is on the left side as you face the terminal.
3. Present Your OFW Documents: Show your Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) or OFW e-card at the entrance of the lounge. These documents serve as proof of your OFW status.
4. Enjoy the Lounge Services: Enter the lounge and take advantage of comfortable seating, fast Wi-Fi, charging docks, and a friendly atmosphere. You can also help yourself to a free cup of coffee.

Remember, the OFW Lounge is designed to make your travelling experience more comfortable and enjoyable. So, take some time to relax and unwind before your flight.

The sacrifices of all OFWs across the globe are honored by OWWA through the OFW Lounge. They leave their loved ones behind to look for better opportunities in foreign countries. Many of them suffer from homesickness, discrimination, and even language barriers. Imagine how much they must endure to provide a better life for their families back in the Philippines.

Having a safe space through the OFW Lounge at the NAIA will help them get the best comfort while waiting for their flight back to their host country. These modern-day heroes truly deserve VIP services that cannot equal the sacrifice they make for the country and their families. With a dedicated space that features amenities essential for OFWs, they can enjoy their journeys more.

The OFW Lounge is accessible for OFWs at the NAIA Terminal 1 and 3. The main purpose is to make travel experiences for OFWs more convenient and comfortable. For instance, flight delays and long layovers can be daunting, especially for first-time Filipino migrant workers. Therefore, the lounges at the NAIA will help them feel at home while waiting for their flights. More OFW lounges will be built in Philippine airports to ensure all OFWs get the best service.

To access the lounge at the NAIA Terminal 1, note that it is located on the 4^th floor right next to the pre-departure area. On the other hand, the OFW Lounge at the NAIA Terminal 3 is situated on the left side if you’re facing the terminal. OFWs can grab a free coffee, charge their phones or laptops, relax on the sofa, and have a friendly chat with other OFWs in the lounge.

Video: OFW Lounge sa NAIA Terminal 3, Inaasahang Ilulunsad – MIAA

In this video, you will learn about the new OFW Lounge that the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration built to help OFWs at the airport stay comfortable and relaxed while dealing with delayed or canceled flights just like what happened on New Year’s Day this year.

Final Thoughts

The New Year’s Day fiasco where around 400 domestic and international flights at NAIA were affected by a glitch urged the establishment of the OFW Lounge in Philippine airports. The dedicated space will serve as a place for resting and relaxing while enduring flight delays and cancellations for OFWs. As more lounges for OFWs will be constructed across the Philippines, more modern-day heroes will enjoy their trips in and out of the country.

OFWs deserve nothing but love and appreciation for all the hard work they do away from their families. More initiatives like the OFW Lounge should be implemented to ease their lives, especially during their departure time at the NAIA or any other airports in the Philippines. Prioritizing their needs must be at the top of government officials’ minds. The more they feel appreciated, the better they can be in their jobs.

The PAOS or Post-Arrival Orientation Seminar is designed for Overseas Filipino Workers by the Department of Migrant Workers. This orientation seminar is conducted for OFWs who recently landed in their host country. DMW is working with the Department of Labor and Employment and the International Labor Affairs Bureau to create an online version for specific countries where Filipino migrant workers are based. These initiatives are meant to ease the burdens of OFWs and make sure they will have a smooth experience transitioning to a new workplace.

The online PAOS will be another platform that will help in implementing the program on-site. The main purpose of this program is to bring awareness to all OFWs in terms of their responsibilities and rights while providing them with essential information as they complete their overseas contract. Basically, the seminar will tackle cultural orientation, legal assistance, financial management, health and safety, labor rights, and other important topics.

What is PAOS for OFWs?

The Post-Arrival Orientation Seminar for OFWs aims to assist in the secure transition after arriving in the host country for employment. The orientation program is conducted by recruitment agencies accredited by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration or by DMW representatives. The seminar includes discussions, group activities, interactive exercises, and lectures to help OFWs adjust to the working and living environment abroad.

PAOS is the counterpart for the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar or PDOS. Under this program, OFWs undergo a seminar upon their arrival at their job site. This is to educate them about the obligations and living conditions they can expect from working abroad. The lectures include services and programs currently offered by the government in the host country.

Requirements

Before OFWs can attend the orientation seminar in their host country, they must consider the documentary requirements they must prepare. Here are the documents that you should secure when attending PAOS:

• Copy of a valid Philippine passport
• Valid IDs such as OFW ID or any government-issued ID
• Additional documents that may be required

The Department of Labor and Employment has advised a specific content format according to Administrative Order No. 532 so that the structure will include necessary information regarding the customs, culture, and traditions of the host country where OFWs will be working. The content structure for PAOS contains these qualities that Filipino migrant workers must be familiar with:

• All programs and services offered by the Philippine government to OFWs.
• Customs and traditions of the host country and workplace.
• Ways to adjust to the new work environment.
• Rights of the employees as well as their obligations must be fulfilled.
• Regulatory framework that governs immigration and labor, emergency services, employment contracts, social support services, training programs, Filipino community projects, and health and safety.

Moreover, the POEA is mandated through the Administrative Order to advocate for global employers and recruitment organizations to allow OFWs including domestic workers to show up in the orientation seminar.

Employers should also present their passports and valid IDs to OFWs in order to confirm their identity. To review their contracts, OFWs must verify all important information including their days off or rest hours, agreed monthly salary, employer’s phone number, address, and family members. The OFW and employer can then sign the contract once they’ve made sure everything is accurate.

Benefits

There are so many reasons OFWs should never skip PAOS once they arrive at the country of their employment. The Philippine government aims to ensure that all Filipino migrant workers are given support to succeed in their endeavors. Through PAOS, OFWs can learn the following:

• Strategies for adjusting to a new workplace and fitting into the job role.
• Rights, obligations, and legal options when it comes to exercising OFW rights against being violated in a foreign land.
• Philippine government services and programs are intended for all Filipino migrant workers around the world.
• Information about the new workplace’s culture, traditions, practices, and other relevant activities.

In order to get all these benefits and successfully implement the objectives of PAOS, some guidelines must be in place. For instance, the OFW, employer, and a Foreign Recruitment Agency representative or someone from the Philippine Embassy or MWO must be there during the orientation seminar. The OFW and his employer must have met already before making any agreements.

Once the OFW, employer, and one representative from the Philippine Embassy, MWO, or FRA are in attendance, PAOS may take place in the MWO office or at the airport for more convenience for the OFWs. Some topics that are covered in the seminar include:

• OWWA Services
• Pag-IBIG Services
• Labor Laws & Rules
• Financial Literacy
• Balik-Manggagawa
• SSS Services
• Host Country and Culture Overview

Video: Ito Na Ba Ang Sagot Sa Problema Ng Mga OFW? PAOS Post Arrival Orientation Seminar

In this video, you will learn everything about the Post-Arrival Orientation Seminar for Overseas Filipino Workers who have just arrived in their host countries for employment. It includes information on the process, requirements, and other helpful tips to navigate the process in the most convenient way possible. Watch until the end to get insights on how you can benefit from this program.

Summary

All Overseas Filipino Workers across the globe are required to attend the Post-Arrival Orientation Seminar according to POEA and DOLE. Therefore, it’s important to get familiar with the program and the process of how to qualify and submit the required documents. It aims to educate OFWs arriving at their host country regarding the new culture, economy, legal system, lifestyle, and working and living conditions.

Post-arrival orientation seminars are implemented within one month after the OFW has arrived in their host country to work. This is to guide them when it comes to the expectations and obligations they should have in their new workplace. It’s important to familiarize yourself with this information to ensure you will have a hassle-free transition as well as adjustment to your new employer and job site.