Cuenco: OFWs in Italy well-treated

CEBU, Philippines - Overseas Filipino Workers in Italy have an excellent relationship with the Italian government, this was the clarification made by Cebu City south district Rep. Antonio Cuenco regarding reports of maltreatment of OFWs.

According to Cuenco, who was recently appointed as ambassador to Italy by President Gloria Arroyo, based on the records of the Department of Foreign Affairs there have been no reported cases of harassment and maltreatment. Filipinos are well-treated by their Italian employers and they are enjoying themselves.

Cuenco said the only problem of the Filipinos there is they cannot speak in Italian and that is why they cannot work for higher positions, he advised Filipinos seeking work in Italy to study Italian first.

According to the office of the undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs of the DFA as of June 2008 there are around 120,000 Filipinos with valid permits in Italy. Another estimated 13,000 are undocumented Filipinos residing or working in Italy.

Of the 120,000 around 77 percent work in the services sector as domestic helpers, care givers and utility men. Sixteen percent are there for family reasons, these are children and other people who have been petitioned by their relatives under the so-called “family reunion” scheme. Four percent are there for religious motives, two percent for a variety of motives and one percent either have their own businesses such as travel agencies, cargo services, stores or work in Filipino-owned businesses.

Cuenco said that his appointment has been forwarded by Malacañang to the Commission on Appointments and the confirmation process will start next week. — Emee C. Lucena (THE FREEMAN)