Press Release
August 13, 2014

ANGARA: ENSURE JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR OFWS
RETURNING FROM LIBYA

Senator Sonny Angara on Wednesday has called on the government to ensure that job opportunities and livelihood assistance are awaiting the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) returning from Libya.

According to reports, more or less 2,000 out of 13,000 Filipino workers in Libya have accepted repatriation since the government enforced mass evacuation last month.

"What is in store for our OFWs that could cushion the impact of the loss of employment and income capacity upon their repatriation? We'd like to find out how the government intends to help these returnees find new jobs or other means of livelihood," said Angara, acting chair of the committee on labor, employment and human resources development.

News reports have quoted Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario saying that convincing OFWs to leave was still a challenge because of their fear of being unemployed back home, and worse, because of their belief that they have "better chances of surviving" in war-torn Libya than in their home country.

"Clearly, the more effective way of convincing our OFWs to repatriate is to give them assurance that they would not be jobless here at home--that there is a comprehensive reintegration assistance and services program that would address their welfare, employment and livelihood needs," said the senator, who is also the vice chair of the committee on foreign relations.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has assured that each OFW repatriated from Libya will get P10,000 in financial assistance from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) as one of the means to provide them immediate financial relief.

Apart from the one-time grant, DOLE said returnees would also be assisted through immigration and will be given temporary shelter, transportation, medical assistance, and stress debriefing.

"While it's no question that our foremost priority is their security, safe repatriation and reunion with their families, we must also provide relief measures to our OFWs' socio-economic condition and ensure their successful reintegration into mainstream Philippine society," Angara stressed.

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