Government on alert for OFW repatriation from Qatar

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine government is anticipating the possible repatriation of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Qatar after seven Gulf countries cut diplomatic ties with Qatar for allegedly helping terrorist organizations.

Labor Undersecretary Dominador Say said the Philippine embassy and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Qatar are readying contingency measures, including repatriation of OFWs.

“Our embassy and POLO are on standby in case there is a need to repatriation. The rapid response team created by Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello is closely monitoring the situation in Qatar…The crisis team is focused on the need for possible repatriation,” he added.

Say said some members of the rapid response team are also ready to fly to Qatar to personally provide assistance to Filipinos there. 

There are about 200,000 documented and undocumented Filipinos in Qatar.

The Department of Foreign Affairs, however, has yet to issue an advisory on the repatriation of OFWs in Qatar.

As of yesterday, there was no report of laid off Filipino employees or foreign nationals expelled from Qatar.

But the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is coordinating with recruitment agencies in preparing alternative employment for OFWs who might be laid off.

Say said the DOLE is particularly watching over Filipino household service workers, who are likely to be affected in case Qatar expels foreign nationals. 

“We will be concerned if they start expelling some foreign nationals. It is because these foreign nationals, we can safely assume that they are hiring Filipino HSWs,” he added.

62 families repatriated from Saudi

Meanwhile, 62 Filipino families, comprised mostly of children, arrived in the country yesterday after being repatriated from Saudi Arabia, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said. 

The DSWD said social workers from the agency joined staff of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration in assisting the 153 individuals comprising the 62 families that arrived yesterday morning at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. 

The DSWD said the families were composed of 57 mothers, seven fathers and 89 children who availed of the amnesty program of Saudi Arabia. 

“The department has prepared meals for the families, especially for the children who might be hungry after the long flight,” said the agency. 

“Most of the children are coming home to the Philippines for the first time,” it added. 

The DSWD said it will also provide P5,000 per family as food assistance and for the purchase of other basic needs for the children.

“DSWD social workers interviewed and assessed the repatriates to determine their other needs and for referral to their respective local government units,” it added. – With Janvic Mateo