After being held in Trinidad and Tobago, 23 Cebu workers are finally home

The 23 workers detained in Trinidad and Tobago because of spurious documents arrived at the Mactan Cebu International Airport around 9 pm yesterday after they were finally released by authorities of that country.

Cebu fifth district Rep. Ramon “Red” Durano VI said he would immediately initiate a congressional inquiry into the detention of 23 Cebuano Overseas Filipino Workers in Trinidad and Tobago who allegedly became victims to a bogus employer.

Durano said he will file a resolution and deliver a privilege speech to formally ask for a probe once Congress resumes session on November 10.

Senate President Manuel Villar who helped facilitate the return of the workers also said there is a need to know how the recruitment was carried out.

“Not only do we want to assure the safe return of our Visayan Kababayan but we also want to know why and how their recruitment was arranged when there was already prior knowledge that a bogus employer awaited them abroad,” Villar said in a press statement.

In the same press statement, Villar said the workers left their employer in Tobago due to breach of contract and tried to transfer to another employer in Trinidad.

However, upon arrival, they were detained by immigration authorities for allegedly holding fake documents, which were issued by their first employer.

But it was the Cebu provincial government that shouldered the air fare of the workers amounting to P1.2 million.   — /JMO