Taiwan's labor ministry appeals to OFW employers: Be considerate

Taiwan authorities have appealed to employers of stranded, vacationing overseas Filipino workers to be considerate about delays in their return due to the travel restrictions being imposed by the Philippine government.

Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) chairperson Lito Banayo said Friday that Manila is getting the cooperation of the Taiwanese government.

"Ang Ministry of Labor pinakiusapan naman 'yung mga employers na i-consider 'yung pagkaka-delay, huwag naman silang tanggalan ng trabaho. So, we are getting cooperation from the Taiwanese government," Banayo said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV.

He said that the Taiwanese officials are still waiting if the Philippine government would shift gear and lift the travel ban.

"Kapag masyado nang matagal, maaantala din naman 'yung kanilang production schedule, maghahanap na 'yan ng ibang nationality at 'yun ang kinatatakutan ng ating OFWs," he said.

Some OFWs who were supposed to fly to Taiwan earlier this week were offloaded from their flights after the Department of Health clarified that Taiwan is on the list of countries with travel restrictions amid the threats of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

In response to Manila's move, Taiwan was reported to have been planning for possible retaliatory measures.

On Thursday night, Filipino travelers who have been stranded in Taiwan were advised that they will not be allowed to be inside the country beyond their 14-day visa-free stay.

For the benefit of the 160,000 Filipinos in Taiwan, Banayo said he hopes that the matter will be addressed as soon as possible by the inter-agency task force which handles the measures related to the COVID-19.

Banayo said that only 17 patients with COVID-19 are currently being treated at hospitals in Taiwan.

Only the Philippines and Bangladesh have imposed travel bans to Taiwan amid the global outbreak, he pointed out.

Despite being referred to by the World Health Organization as "Taipei and environs" under China in its situation reports for COVID-19, Taiwan has repeatedly asserted its independence from China. —Dona Magsino/LBG, GMA News