Aside from the OFWs  from Qatar being welcomed by the President, they were also the pioneer batch to receive the OFW ID cards.

Formally called as the iDOLE, the OFW ID cards were distributed to more than 200 OFWs from Qatar. In the said iDOLE card, services from Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and Bureau of Immigration (BI) are now integrated.

Undersecretary Bernard Olalia, OIC Administrator of POEA, said in an interview with ABS-CBN News that OFWs can now check and make transactions online with participating agencies regularly met by OFWs, which makes processing hassle-free.

In the case where the employer will confiscate the OFWs’ passport, which is considered to be a popular case in the Middle East, the iDOLE card can be enough proof for one to process travel documents needed for repatriation.

For now, returning OFWs will be first to receive the card, followed by direct hire and OFWs under agencies.

Source: ABS-CBN