Over a hundred distressed overseas Filipino workers will be able to celebrate Christmas with their families following their repatriation from Saudi Arabia over the weekend, the labor department reported.
Overseas Workers Welfare Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac said the 109 repatriated OFWs from the Middle East received a package of assistance which include a P20,000 financial aid from the department for their smooth reintegration.
“These were the directives from Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III. We hope that this can help them cope with the daily expenditures,” Cacdac said.
The repatriates arrived on December 8 from Dammam, KSA.
Among them were 88 workers of Azmeel Company in Al Khobar who were affected by the lockdown of work sites and have failed to receive proper wages and overtime pay.
Another 18 OFWs of Rakan Trading Contracting Company, and 4 employees of Samama Company decided to come home due to contract violations of their Saudi employers.
Cacdac said that aside from the financial aid, the repatriated OFWs can also apply for livelihood assistance should they choose to stay in the country for good.
“Our repatriated OFWs also have the opportunity to apply for a livelihood assistance. A seminar will be arranged for them and they will be required to submit their respective business plans. We will teach them how to do it,” the OWWA chief said.
Airport assistance were also provided to the distressed OFWs which includes temporary shelter for those who await their flights back to their respective provinces, and transportation assistance for those who reside in the Luzon area.
Meanwhile, OWWA and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) will also provide legal assistance to OFWs who wish to file complaints against their Arab employers or recruitment agencies.
The OFWs are encouraged to submit their bio data so the OWWA can provide employment assistance through the Build Build Build program of the Duterte Administration as most of the Filipino migrant workers were in the field of infrastructure.
“Lastly, we will provide employment facilitation. Our President spearheads the Build Build Build program. The DPWH and various contractors are looking for supplementary manpower which are fit to your skills,” Cacdac told the OFWs.
