As Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), we belong to a very unique group. We have left loved ones and country behind. Sometimes for months or years at a time. By the millions, we have scattered ourselves around the world. We adapt and we survive. Some of us prosper. And sadly, some of us do not.

 

Are you safe?

As a group, we fall into two broad categories. Those of us who are safe. And those who are not. OFW Watch was created for both.

 

OFW Watch is based on the concepts of self-reliance and the empowering nature of technology. On a belief that the OFW should not be at the mercy of the government or an NGO to come to our aid. We must,  first and foremost, rely on ourselves and watch out for each other.

 

For those of you who are safe and secure in your environment, OFW Watch gives you a way to help your fellow kababayan. And by that, we do not mean financially support. Too many of us are already treated as a milking cow by others.

 

It means little things, like rating your recruiting agency. For the most vulnerable among us, the recruiting agency is where their troubles begin. We want to shine a light on the bad agencies and make it impossible for them to hide. More importantly, with your help we can identify the good agencies. We can shine a light on those agencies who have the OFW’s best interest at heart.  

 

If the world can use social media to rate restaurants, then we can use social media to rate the businesses who serve us.

 

The Future.

 

Today a smart phone may be out of the reach of the most vulnerable OFWs among us. But today’s highend phone is next year’s cheap phone.

Those of us who are safe. The doctors. lawyers, nurse and teachers. The NGOs.  All we have to do is connect. By doing so, we will have laid a network to allow us to watch out for the most vulnerable among us. we are ten million strong… and we should not be at the mercy of others… we should help ourselves and each other.

 

By connecting via social media, it will be possible to generate a map and see an OFW, who for whatever reason, has had their communications cut. An OFW who has been forced into darkness.

OFW Watch staff will follow-up on the red flags above. We will contact the family and appropriate agencies. If we can not find an answer to why they have gone dark. We will alert the OFW’s neighbors (you) with a recommended course of action. The alerted OFW will decide in complete privacy, if they are in a position to help.

This is impossible.

 

OFW Watch was founded by a woman who’s first job was pounding rice at the age of nine… nothing is impossible. It will not be easy, but if you want to move a mountain then  reach down and pick up the first pebble. Please register.