‘Voluntary repatriation at OFWs own expense’ hit 03/18/2011

‘Voluntary repatriation at OFWs own expense’ hit

03/18/2011
An alliance of Filipino migrants group in the Middle East yesterday scored the Aquino government’s declaration on “voluntary repatriation at OFWs own expense,” saying this is a disservice to the sector that is helping the economy being kept afloat through their billions of remittances and fees and exactions imposed by the government.

“‘Voluntary repatriation at OFWs own expense’ is but a disservice to OFWs; it is the state’s responsibility to secure the well being and safety of our Filipino workers abroad especially under adverse situation like wars and disasters or natural calamities and any burden should not be passed on to them,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

Yesterday, the Department of Labor and Employment announced, citing the assessment issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) raising alert status to level 2 (restriction of movement) from alert level 1 (heightened alertness), that OFWs could be repatriated if they want to avail “voluntary repatriation” at their own expense.

The DFA yesterday announced that it will be sending a team to Bahrain to assess the peace and order situation and continuously study the viability of its contingency measures in evacuating OFWs in case the situation in Bahrain worsens..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110318nat2.html