Villar: Assist distressed OFWs in Dubai

SENATOR Manny Villar asked the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration to fasttrack the government's vowed assistance to distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who are scavenging to survive in Dubai.

Villar made the call after receiving a report from sources today that at least 137 Filipinos who are victims of illegal recruitment are clamoring for help in Dubai where they are scavenging to survive.

"Namumulot sila ng mga softdrink can para may makain dahil pinabayaan sila ng agency nila. Nag-tulong-tulong ang mga Filipino communities dito para maabutan sila ng pagkain na hindi alam kung hanggang kailan tatagal yung ganung pagtulong sa kanila. Kailangang matulungan silang mahabol ang illegal recruiter nila makasuhan at makauwi sila," the report said.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is currently in Dubai to push for investments and jobs for Filipinos displaced by the global financial crisis. She was presented a manifesto confirming 200,141 new jobs for OFWs during the opening of a two-day job summit which started on Sunday.

The distressed OFWs in Dubai said they look forward to prompt attention from the Philippine government especially with the President's visit during which she was apprised of the OFWs' predicament, Villar was told.

"Our distressed migrant workers need as much assistance as those looking for job opportunities and they must be accorded such promptly," the Nacionalista Party president said.

Villar called on the consular and labor officers in Dubai to expedite the necessary help to the said OFWs who are swiftly increasing in number.

The former Senate President has initiated the repatriation of many distressed OFWs from Middle East countries like Jordan, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia, where 31 OFWs were repatriated from last February 19.

On his own, Villar is actively assisting severely distressed OFWs while pushing for long-term solutions to the overseas labor problems including fostering conducive economic conditions that will give Filipinos opportunities in their own country.