Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) play a big and important role in nation building. In Italy alone, there is an estimate of 20,000 OFWs. For the year 2006, remittances from Filipinos amounted to more or less $600 million. Their welfare must be protected and upheld at all times To show the country’s appreciation for the significant contribution of OFWs, the Philippine government continues to exert effort and implement reforms that will ease the burden of OFWs as they seek their fortune in a foreign land.

One example is the negotiation of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (PGMA) with Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi and President Giorgio Napolitano that results to good news for all OFWs in Italy.

For one, the Philippine Embassy in Italy lowers their passport renewal rates for OFWs there. PGMA said, "I have ordered the DFA to lower passport renewal rates from the present 65 Euros to only 50 Euros, and the reduction of fees for affidavits and notarization from 32 Euros to only 25 Euros."

PGMA also announced that Filipinos with a driver’s license would automatically obtain an Italian driver’s license. This shows that the Italian government recognizes the skills of Filipino drivers. This is beneficial because in Italy, OFWs with Italian driver's license receive higher pay than ordinary workers.