THIRTY more Israel-based workers will arrive in the Philippines on Friday, Nov. 17, to escape the ongoing conflict with Palestine, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said.
DMW Assistant Secretary Jerome Alcantara said in an interview that some migrant workers sought permission from their respective employers before leaving. So far, the government already repatriated around 200 workers from the conflict area.
“Alam mo naman ang mga Pilipino, responsable tayo, so they want to make sure na maayos sila with their employers, atsaka wala silang maiiwan,” Alcantara said.
DMW is also in close coordination with other government agencies to provide the returning OFWs with every assistance they need.
The repatriated workers received P125,000 as financial assistance from the DMW, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Department of Social Welfare and Development, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
Aside from cash assistance, Alcantara shared they also coordinated with the Department of Health to monitor their mental and physical health, as well as to provide psychosocial counseling services for the OFWs.
OWWA assured that every migrant worker will have hotel accommodations and transportation once they return to the country.
“The Department of Labor and Employment is also coordinating with us, para pagbalik naman, kung kailangan ng trabaho, DOLE could also augment that,” he added.
DMW said the repatriation program will be “a whole government approach for all migrant workers.”
