OVERSEAS Filipino Workers (OFWs) are generally regarded as today’s heroes for their most valuable contribution to the economy with their remittances that shore up the country’s foreign exchange reserves.

Definitely, the economic aspect of the deployment of OFWs in the Middle East, Europe, North America, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Micronesia is most positive. And its significance is all the more highlighted by the formidable challenge of global recession.

There is, however, another dimension in the OFWs phenomenon. The social costs are getting to be steep.

Consider the impact on the family left behind by an OFW stationed in Saudi Arabia. Factor the children in need of a father figure for paternal guidance and discipline.

If an OFW is a mother, the effect of her absence on the nurturing of the children is much worse. And they are in the legion.

Visualize further what it means and how it feels to work in a totally alien environment that is too far and too different from one’s cultural roots where to make a public display of the Christian faith is forbidden.

What about the many victims of various forms of abuse, from white slavery to very poor working conditions, from cruel employers to contract violations?

And add to the picture the plight of many undocumented OFWs who are treated as outside the purview of the legal protection of the government.

There is, therefore, a need for government to address these social problems among OFWs as a moral responsibility because it is the co-beneficiary of the fruits of their labor.

What concrete measures have the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration initiated to address the many problems mentioned?