The Philippine Embassy in Vientiane, in coordination with the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, organized the Post-Arrival Orientation Seminar or “PAOS sa Laos” last Saturday, 06 May 2023, at the Qube Hotel in Vientiane, Lao PDR.

Over 70 participants attended the PAOS, which was held online and in-person.

The PAOS aims to share information and updates on the Lao PDR, including its rules and regulations, customs and practices. It is also meant to inform Filipinos in Laos of the services provided by the Embassy, the MWO and OWWA.

In this year’s PAOS, the MWO Team led by Labor Attaché Teresa Lourdes Pimentel formally introduced the newly-created Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and did a step-by-step demonstration on how to use the DMW’s online system. The OWWA Team led by Welfare Officer Leonor Mabagal also presented the latest OWWA benefits.

In the afternoon, over 60 Filipinos were able to avail themselves of the walk-in consultation services offered by the MWO and OWWA regarding employment contracts, the Overseas Employment Certificate and OWWA membership.

This was the first time representatives from the MWO and OWWA based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia were able to join the PAOS in person since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.