DOLE prepares for OFW repatriation from Israel

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has deployed additional labor officers to Israel in preparation for the possible mandatory repatriation of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from the war-torn country.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said there is a huge number of Filipinos working in Israel, so the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) would need additional people to provide assistance to OFWs in case the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) orders mandatory repatriation.

There are at least 38,000 Filipinos in Israel and most of them are working in areas far from Gaza.

Baldoz said they are looking into the possibility of augmenting the POLO in Dubai since the OFWs to be repatriated from Libya and Israel would have to pass through United Arab Emirates before coming to Manila.

She said there is a possibility for the DFA to raise the crisis alert level in Israel if the peace and order situation there further deteriorates.

Baldoz said the DOLE has not received any request for repatriation from Filipino workers in Israel. And even if the government orders mandatory repatriation from Israel, labor officials said it is highly unlikely for most Filipino workers to avail themselves of the program.

“Many of them will not leave because they do not want to lose their jobs,” a labor official said.

Officials said OFWs feel safe despite the ongoing conflict since most houses in Israel have bomb shelter.

The government is looking for alternative markets for OFWs likely to be affected by the prevailing conflict in Israel.

“Most of Filipino workers in Israel are caregivers and our only alternative market for them right now is Taiwan,” Baldoz said.