OFWs from S. Sudan to get assistance

MANILA, Philippines - Repatriated workers from war-torn South Sudan will get livelihood assistance.         

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) administrator Carmelita Dimzon said yesterday the repatriates may also avail of short training courses under the agency’s skills for employment scholarship program.

They may undergo training while waiting for local employment or re-employment abroad, she added.        

The first batch of 11 Filipino workers from South Sudan arrived Wednesday night via Emirates Airlines.

Dimzon said the 11 workers, engineers and construction workers who are active members of OWWA, will receive benefits, including livelihood assistance.

Upon their arrival at the airport, a team of OWWA personnel accompanied seven of them home as requested.

The government has ordered the voluntary repatriation of Filipino workers from South Sudan and banned deployment due to escalating hostilities.  

About 95 Filipinos are in South Sudan. Most of them are employed as construction workers.