OWWA encourages undocumented Filipinos in Middle East to repatriate

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) on Tuesday encouraged undocumented Filipino workers in the Middle East to avail themselves of the Philippine government’s repatriation program, assuring that there will be no actions that would be taken against them.

OWWA Deputy Administrator Jasmine Gapatan said undocumented Filipinos can still register with them.

“Wala pong consequences or negative implications sa inyo lalo na kung gagawin niyo pong lehitimo ang pathway for migration,” she said in “Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.”

(There will be no consequences or negative implications on you, especially if you choose to make your migration pathway legitimate.)

“Gusto namin sila maging miyembro ng OWWA ngayon dahil matutulungan po namin kayo. Wala po sa amin kung ngayon kayo magpa-miyembro at gawin niyo pong regular yung inyong employment status,” Gapatan added.

(We want them to become OWWA members now because we can help you. It doesn't matter to us if you only become a member now and [subsequently] make your employment status regular.)

The ninth chartered flight by the Philippine government carried home 255 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their 87 family members on Monday, who sought to return to the Philippines amid the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said a total of 4,234 OFWs and 1,170 kin have returned to the Philippines since March 5 under the government’s repatriation program.

The Philippine government assured that returning OFWs will be provided with livelihood and employment assistance here in the country. 

“May livelihood tayo para diyan, mayroon tayong employment facilitation (We have livelihood [programs] for that, and we have employment facilitation). We are looking at step up program, wherein we are going to upskill and re-skill our OFWs when they get back here,” said Gapatan. — BAP, GMA News