Government suspends OFW deployment to Kazakhstan

Amid tensions between foreign and Kazakh workers, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) ordered yesterday the suspension of deployment of Filipino workers to Tengiz, Kazakhstan.

"In view of the disturbing situation in Tengiz that might adversely affect the security and welfare of our Filipino workers, the processing and deployment of Filipino workers to any work site in Tengiz is suspended temporarily," Labor Undersecretary Danilo Cruz said.

Cruz said the Philippine government will stop sending Filipino workers to Tengiz until the government of Kazakhstan and concerned foreign employers can ensure their safety and welfare.

According to Cruz, Filipino workers are still not reporting for work since the violent clash between Kazakhs and Turkish workers broke out last Friday due to alleged differences in pay.

Cruz and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) chief Marianito Roque reiterated that no Filipino was injured in the incident.

Although Filipino workers were not involved in the violent clash, Cruz did admit they are being harassed by Kazakhs for the simple reason they are foreigners.

"The Kazakhs are apparently upset over the fact that foreign workers are receiving higher salaries and getting more benefits like free accommodation and food. They also feel that foreign workers were taking the jobs away from the locals," Cruz explained.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) also reiterated yesterday that no Filipinos were involved nor hurt in the riot and "in the aftermath of last week’s incident."

Consul General Maria Agnes Cervantes of the embassy in Islamabad, which has jurisdiction over Kazakhstan, said she was able to communicate by phone with some OFWs at their barracks and informed her that they were safe.

To protect the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from harassment, Cruz said all 600 of them employed by US-based construction firm Bechtel are now housed in one dormitory. He also said they would soon be getting their own mess hall "because the local workers would harass them during meal time."

Roque added that if the situation will not normalize soon, Bechtel has given assurance to the Philippine government that it would transfer the Filipino workers to its other projects outside Kazakhstan, or repatriate those who want to return home.

Meanwhile, Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) chairman Sen. Richard Gordon said they would request the International Red Cross to assist the OFWs in Tengiz through the Red Crescent Society, the Red Cross equivalent in Muslim countries. — With Pia Lee-Brago, Sheila Crisostomo