Gov’t to help OFWs from Libya, Iraq

MANILA, Philippines - The government will assist Filipino workers returning from war-torn Libya and Iraq  in finding new employment.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is ready to assist hundreds of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) returning from the two war-torn countries

“We have a menu of reintegration programs and services available to our returning OFWs. We will assist them through referral if they want to work again overseas, or locally. We are also ready to assist those who will consider entrepreneurship as an option,” Baldoz said.

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) earlier imposed a temporary ban on the deployment of Filipino workers to Iraq and Libya due to the deteriorating peace and order situation in the two countries.

Baldoz urged Filipinos in Iraq to heed the advice of the government to voluntarily come home while noting that the DOLE is closely coordinating with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in monitoring the situation in Iraq.

Over 2,000 Filipinos are staying in Iraq based on data from the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO). The figure excludes more than 300 OFWs who were deployed in 2013.

Last year, the government lifted the ban on the deployment of OFWs to Iraq, except in areas identified as “no go” zones, after the Iraqi government had communicated its desire to hire skilled Filipino workers and professionals for the rehabilitation of Iraqi industries and facilities.

A total of 93 OFWs have returned home from Libya since the government ordered voluntary repatriation. There are 13,000 Filipinos currently working in Libya.

Thirty more Filipino workers are scheduled to arrive in Manila from Libya.

About 247 OFWs have registered at the Philippine embassy in Tripoli for voluntary repatriation.

DFA spokesman Charles Jose said the department deployed a rapid response team to Iraq yesterday to assist in the repatriation of Filipinos.

Baldoz said the OWWA Airport Assistance Team is always on standby to facilitate the OFWs’ documents in the Immigration and Customs areas for a hassle-free arrival at the airport.

Returning workers headed back to the provinces are given temporary shelter at the OWWA halfway house and are briefed on the government’s reintegration program for OFWs, specifically the “Balik-Pinay, Balik-Hanapbuhay” program.

Meanwhile, Baldoz ordered OWWA to provide all necessary assistance to the family of the OFW who had sought repatriation from Libya, but died of cardiac arrest at the shelter where he was temporarily staying in Tripoli. – With Helen Flores