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OFWs still in Libya should brace for the worst

March 4, 2011

MANILA, Philippines – The government yesterday advised the more than 10,000 Filipinos still in Libya to brace for more tension and possible violence as Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi makes a final effort to stay in power.
Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said Filipinos in the whole of Libya have been reminded to just stay in their houses and worksites and avoid traveling by land in the next days.
“There were reports that Gadhafi and his supporters are making a last stand to protect his power and get back those areas already in the hands of rebels, so we are calling on our workers to stay where they are. Traveling by land at this time is already very dangerous in the whole of Libya,” Baldoz said.
Baldoz also expressed fear that the scheduled repatriation of about a thousand workers from Tripoli today may be delayed due to the scheduled massive protest action by Gadhafi’s supporters.
“The government chartered ship is expected to dock in Tripoli port Friday, but it could not immediately move out workers to Crete because pro-Gadhafi supporters are reportedly planning a massive protest action,” Baldoz said.
Baldoz said about 700 workers staying at Philippine government-run relocation centers are among those expected to board the ship to Crete, from where they would take a flight to Manila.
Although thousands have opted to stay in Libya, the number of returning workers is still expected to swell by weekend with the arrival of those who were evacuated from Egypt, Tunisia and United Arab Emirates.
“About 3,000 workers, including those awaiting repatriation in Dubai, are expected to arrive by weekend,” Baldoz said, noting that around 700 are also scheduled to return from Crete tomorrow
So far, Baldoz said 1,576 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have returned safely from Libya.
P100-M budget
The government has allocated P100 million to provide alternative source of livelihood for the thousands of returning workers from Libya.
Baldoz said the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) board of trustees has already approved the release of P100 million for the displaced workers.
From the P100-million budget, Baldoz said the government would be providing P10,000 relief assistance for the thousands of workers who have arrived home since Saturday.
“The P10,000 is a one-time grant to each qualified displaced OFW to help them undergo adjustments in their communities. The grant is part of the government’s repatriation assistance program for OFWs which aims to cushion the impact of employment and income displacement affecting the overseas workers upon their repatriation to the country,” Baldoz said.
She said those who want to avail of the program must present either their passport, travel document or two valid ID cards with pictures to OWWA offices near their residences.
“For OFWs to qualify for the financial grant, they shall be required to show proof of travel from conflict-stricken countries and that their names are included in the list of repatriates maintained by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Labor and Employment or the OWWA,” Baldoz said.
Apart from the financial support for the displaced workers, the government has also readied a package of assistance that includes psychosocial counseling, skills training and upgrading, referral and placement assistance for local and overseas employment, entrepreneurial and management training, and business loans.
“The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority is also offering free skills assessment to returning OFWs nationwide starting March 23,” Baldoz said.
Meanwhile, the DOLE has expanded the operations of Task Force Middle East to provide immediate assistance for workers from Libya.
“The Task Force is not only on a 24/7 monitoring and assessment mode. It is also providing round-the-clock coordination services and action follow-through with our POLOs in the Middle East, particularly Libya, so that the government’s evacuation and repatriation efforts will be faster,” Baldoz said.
A total of 27 former POLO administrative staff have been assigned in groups of two at the center. On a 12-hour shift schedule, they are to provide staff support to the labor attachés on duty.
Upgrade program
Meantime, the militant group Migrante International yesterday urged the government to upgrade its reintegration program so as to cushion the economic impact of the Libyan crisis.
Migrante said displaced OFWs once again would be confronted by grinding poverty due to the worsening economic condition and therefore would need significant assistance from the government. – With Jose Rodel Clapano

Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=662827&publicationSubCategoryId=63

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