Financial aid readied for Pinoy repatriates from Libya, Syria

Philippine labor officials on Tuesday reassured overseas Filipino workers to be repatriated from violence-plagued Libya and Syria of assistance programs for them upon their return. The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration said a P10,000 financial assistance awaits OFWs to be repatriated, according to a report by Sandra Aguinaldo on GMA News TV’s “Balitanghali." OWWA administrator Carmelita Dimzon indicated the P10,000 will be available to both documented and undocumented OFWs, so they can start a small business immediately. Dimzon said the government has also readied a loan assistance program, with loans ranging from P300,000 to P2 million, to documented OFWs who wish to start a business. The OWWA also has a redeployment program that will speed up the processing of documents to redeploy a repatriated OFW who wishes to find employment abroad. On the other hand, Dimzon said the OWWA is negotiating with employers of OFWs in Syria to release them so they can be repatriated. Citing reports reaching her, she said many employers refused to release the OFWs because they have a pending contract. But Dimzon also appealed to OFWs who have pending back wages to value their lives first and avail of repatriation. She said the OWWA will help them negotiate for their back pay later, after they arrive home safely. — JE, GMA News