22 distressed OFWs from Bahrain repatriated

At least 22 distressed overseas Filipino workers from Bahrain were repatriated over the weekend, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Sunday. The DFA said an infant was with the OFWs who returned home last Friday, adding this was the second mass repatriation of OFWs from Bahrain since January. “Eighteen of the 22 Filipino repatriates were undocumented workers, who were illegally recruited and deployed for work in Bahrain. Prior to their repatriation, these OFWs had been staying at the Embassy’s shelter," the DFA said in a news release. It added that most of the repatriates ran away from their employers for reasons ranging from reduced, delayed or non-payment of salaries to long working hours, heavy workload, inadequate food and physical and verbal abuse. The Philippine Embassy negotiated with the OFWs’ employers for their visa cancellation; with police and immigration authorities for clearances; and with courts for the speedy resolution of their cases. Philippine Ambassador to Bahrain Corazon Yap-Bahjin accompanied the Filipino repatriates, the DFA said. At the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, representatives from the DFA Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (DFA-OUMWA) led by Special Assistant Atty. Enrico Fos welcomed and extended assistance to the repatriates. Of the 22 repatriates, four received tickets from Bahrain non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and manpower agencies. The rest were using tickets provided by the Philippine government, through the DFA’s Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) funds. Filipino community leader Bobby Calimoso provided transportation services in coordination with FOREX Cargo Bahrain and Bahrain Financing Company, the DFA said. — LBG, GMA News