Discrimination vs Asians ‘rampant’ in Italy amid COVID-19 scare –OFW

A Filipino migrant worker based in Milan, Italy said discrimination against Asians was “rampant” there amid fears over the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak.

Interviewed on GMA News TV’s Balitanghali Weekend on Sunday, Enerio Laqui said he had witnessed instances of racism and discrimination against Asians due to the virus scare.

“Talamak siya ngayon dito. Nangyayari talaga ‘yong racism, discrimination is real talaga… For example, ‘yong mga Pinoy na medyo singkit kaunti ‘yong mga mata, ‘yong iba doon ibinabaling ‘yong galit,” he said.

“Hindi lang kasi verbal ‘yong abuse, kadalasan ‘yong ibang nangyayari, may physical na nagaganap ngayon.”

Laqui recounted instances of tensions running high near schools or inside supermarkets due to discrimination.

He added that some employers had been advising their Filipino workers not to come into work as a precautionary measure against the virus, a move that he said would greatly impact the income of Filipinos who get paid by the hour.

“Natatakot ‘yong ibang employer, so nangyayari yong iba hindi pinpapapasok so nababawasan ng oras, so ‘yon ang nagiging problem ngayon,” Laqui explained.

The number of COVID-19 cases in Italy surged last week, prompting authorities to close off towns and ban public events in a bid to contain the virus. 

COVID-19 has so far claimed 29 lives and infected 1,128 others in Italy. — Julia Mari Ornedo/DVM, GMA News