If you’re an OFW in Osaka, it is essential to have an active OWWA membership or renew your membership as soon as it expires, to access the institutions’ benefits. Also, for Filipinos who are not yet members of the institution, you can apply for the membership by visiting the POLO-OWWA Osaka office or mailing your documents for verification.
Also Read: For OFWs based in Osaka, here’s a guide about renewing OWWA in Tokyo
And if you’re wondering about the application process, follow the guide below for the OWWA appointment and membership in Osaka, Japan.
Being an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) is a difficult decision some Filipinos have to choose to provide a better life for their families. That’s why the Philippine Government established the Overseas Workers Welfare (OWWA) together with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), an institution mandated to promote and protect the welfare of OFWs and their families across the world.
Contents
Overview
OWWA provides membership to OFWs packed with varying services, programs, and support, from educational and training benefits to financial assistance.
In addition, the OWWA membership provides legal assistance to OFWs if there are issues arising between their employers. The OWWA membership acts as an insurance policy for OFWs, giving them access to loans, livelihood programs, disability, and other work benefits.
It also assists OFWs in preparing them in the work site or settling back in the country. Thus, becoming an OWWA member is beneficial to OFWs to have security and assurance that the Philippine Government is always at their back.
Requirements
To apply or renew your OWWA membership at POLO-OWWA Osaka, here are the following requirements you need to secure, including:
- Duly accomplished OFW Information Sheet
- Photocopy of current Certificate of Employment (If the document is in Japanese, provide an English translation containing the Name and Signature of the Translator)
- Duly accomplished Declaration of Intent for OWWA Membership (For New Members)
- Original and photocopy of passport (showing the data page)
- Photocopy of Valid Residence ID Card
- Company Registration Certificate Number or Kaishahojin Bango of Toki Botohon (For Company Employer)
- National ID Number or Gaimusho ID Number (For Individual Employer)
- If applying via Mail, use a return mail envelope with a stamp and include your full name and address to claim your official receipt.
Qualifications
Although the OWWA would like to help all OFWs, the institution has qualification criteria that members need to meet. OWWA requires its members to be actively and continuously working and “legal” or “documented” workers processed through POEA with valid visas and work permits.
Moreover, OFWs who have acquired permanent residency status in foreign countries with full-time or permanent employment and remain Filipino citizens, are eligible to apply or renew their OWWA membership.
Nonetheless, since OWWA only accepts actively and continuously working members, the following individual is not qualified to apply or renew their membership, including:
- Due for termination
- Terminated
- Due for cancellation
- Canceled
- Resigned
- No work, No pay
Booking an OWWA Appointment in Osaka
For OFWs planning to visit the POLO-OWWA Osaka office, there is no appointment system for the OWWA membership application. So you can go directly to their office.
However, make sure to check their official Facebook page and website for the latest announcements.
Also, if you want to apply or renew your OWWA membership through POLO Osaka Consular Outreach Mission, you need to book an appointment by texting POLO Welfare Hotline at 070-2447-4016.
Applying for OWWA membership in Osaka
As stated on the official website of POLO Osaka, OFWs can apply or renew their OWWA membership via walk-in application or mailing their requirements at their office.
On the other hand, the POLO-OWWA Osaka office encourages OFWs to apply for membership by mailing the requirements via Letter Pack and limiting the physical contact due to the Covid-19 pandemic. To do so, follow the steps below to send the requirements to POLO Osaka via Letter Pack.
Renewing OWWA membership in POLO Osaka via Letter Pack
- Download and fill out the OFW Information Sheet.
- Download and fill out the Declaration of Intent for OWWA membership (For New Members)
- Compile and complete the requirements.
- Afterward, mail your requirements to Philippine Overseas Labor Office, 7/F FPG Links Midosuji, 4-3-5 Awaji-machi, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Japan 5410047.
- To claim the official receipt, use a return mail envelope with a stamp and including your full name and address.
- Send another mail to Philippine Overseas Labor Office, 7/F FPG Links Midosuji, 4-3-5 Awaji-machi, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Japan 5410047, for the OWWA membership fee payment via Genkin Kakitome, a licensed cash envelope of Japan Post.
Paying OWWA Membership at POLO-OWWA Osaka
If you prefer to visit the POLO-OWWA Osaka office to apply or renew your OWWA membership, there is no appointment system, for now, so you can head to their office directly. On the contrary, there is a required appointment if you’re going to attend POLO Osaka Consular Outreach Mission.
Thus, it is better to check their Facebook page and website since an appointment system may be available soon. And to pay the OWWA membership at the POLO-OWWA Osaka office, follow the steps below.
Step by step process of paying the OWWA membership
- Download and fill out the OFW Information Sheet.
- Download and fill out the Declaration of Intent for OWWA membership (For New Members)
- Compile and complete the requirements.
- Visit the POLO-OWWA Osaka office.
- Present your documents for verification.
- Pay the OWWA membership fee and claim the official receipt the same day of the application.
Reminders with POLO-OWWA Osaka
To ensure that your OWWA membership application is successful, here are the following reminders when applying or renewing your membership at the POLO-OWWA Osaka office:
- OFWs can apply or renew their membership at the POLO-OWWA Osaka office or by mailing their documents for the application. However, OFWs should apply for the OWWA membership via Letter Pack to limit physical contact due to the Covid-19 pandemic and don’t visit the office unless for urgent matters.
- When applying for OWWA membership via Letter Pack, OFWs with documents in the Japanese language should provide an English translation document containing the Name and Signature of the Translator.
- Download and fill out the Declaration of Intent form for OFWs who are applying for the first time for the OWWA membership.
- Before mailing your documents to the POLO-OWWA Osaka office, make sure to use a return mail envelope with a stamp containing your full name and address to send back the official receipt.
- Don’t forget to send a separate mail to Philippine Overseas Labor Office, 7/F FPG Links Midosuji, 4-3-5 Awaji-machi, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Japan 5410047, to pay the OWWA membership fee via Genkin Kakitome, a licensed Japan Post cash envelope.
- Always check the latest OWWA membership fee in POLO-OWWA Osaka before paying since it’s updated monthly based on the current foreign exchange rate.
Video: OWWA Membership in Osaka
For more details on OWWA membership, please watch the video below:
For OFWs who like to apply or renew their membership conveniently, follow the steps on the video. Through the OWWA mobile app, OFWs can update their membership status. They can also choose from different payment methods, from banks to payment centers. However, the payment for the OWWA membership should be made before the transaction expiry date so that the given reference number be valid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about the POLO office and the OWWA membership process in Osaka:
1. How to book an appointment with OWWA in Osaka?
As of writing, there is no requirement to book an appointment to visit the POLO-OWWA Osaka office. However, if you’re attending their Consular Outreach Mission, you should book an appointment by texting the POLO Welfare Hotline at 070-2447-4016.
2. How do I renew my OWWA membership in Osaka?
OFWs in Osaka have two options to renew their OWWA membership. First, visit the POLO-OWWA Osaka office. Second, mail the requirements to their office. Nonetheless, although POLO-OWWA Osaka accepts walk-in applicants, OFWs are advised to apply or renew their membership via Letter Pack to limit physical contact due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
3. How to renew OWWA membership online?
If you prefer to renew your membership online, you can do so by downloading the OWWA mobile app on your smartphone. Then, sign up and log in to your account, and click Renew Membership Here. Fill out the necessary details and select a payment method to pay the OWWA membership.
4. How much is OWWA membership in Osaka?
The OWWA membership in Osaka is $25 or JPY 3,000 or less, based on the monthly foreign exchange rate.
5. Can I pay for the OWWA membership online?
Yes, you can pay the membership fee online if you renew your membership through the OWWA mobile app. To do so, choose on the payment options your preferred online bank or e-wallet.
6. How long is OWWA membership valid?
The OWWA membership is only valid for two years, expiring on the date of the application.
7. Why my OWWA membership is inactive?
The OWWA membership becomes inactive if you have exceeded the two-year validity, your work visa has expired, or you switch to work for a new employer. Since the OWWA membership is only valid for two years under the same employer indicated on the application, OFWs who changed employers will have inactive membership status.
8. Is OWWA membership mandatory?
Yes, OWWA membership is mandatory for OFWs who have processed their employment at POEA.
9. Are all OFW member of OWWA?
No, not all OFW are member of OWWA. As stated above, there are requirements and qualification criteria that members need to comply with and meet. For example, if an OFW is undocumented, they are not qualified for the OWWA membership.
10. Who can avail of OWWA benefits?
The benefits that OWWA provides are available by registered or active members and their legal dependents.
Summary
Becoming an OWWA member is beneficial for OFWs and their families, granting them access to different services and programs, which can help their career, living conditions, and children’s educations.
Thus, we encourage OFWs to keep their membership active and follow this guide for a hassle-free application process for OWWA membership in Osaka, Japan.
Contact Details
POLO-OWWA Osaka
Operating Hours: 9:00 am-4:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except holiday
Address: 7/F FPG Links Midosuji, 4-3-5 Awaji-machi, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Japan 5410047
Telephone: Labor Documentation Concerns- +81 665 757 593, +8170 2275 6082; Welfare Concerns- +8170 2447 4016
Email: Official Email-pcg.osaka.laborsection@gmail.com, Labor Documentation Concerns- pcglaborsection.verification2020@yahoo.com, Welfare Concerns- pcg.laborsection.welfare@gmail.com
Website: https://poloosaka.dole.gov.ph/
Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/PHinOsaka
Google Map Location
You may check out the location of the POLO-OWWA Osaka office in Japan located in the same building as the Consulate General office in Osaka.