Syria OFWs advised to link up with DOLE

CEBU, Philippines - While the government is ready to receive and assist overseas Filipino workers who may be repatriated from strife-torn Syria, the Department of Labor and Employment-7 has not received any communication from the families or relatives asking for assistance.

The Department of Foreign Affairs raised the crisis alert level in Syria from Alert Level 3 to Alert Level 4 in view of the escalating violence in that country. Under Alert Level 4, the Philippine government will implement a mandatory repatriation of OFWs at its own expense.

DOLE-7 OIC-Regional Director Exequiel Sarcauga said there are only nine OFWs from Region 7 working in Syria. Sarcauga said that none of the nine OFW went to their office to ask for assistance. According to Sarcauga, of the nine workers, there are six are active while three are inactive, which means there contract are already expired.

“So far, out of the six, none of them or their dependents have come to seek assistance,” Sarcauga said, adding that DOLE is enjoining these OFWs to avail of the mandatory repatriation program of the government, saying that coming home to the Philippines will ensure their welfare, safety, and protection. Sarcauga said DOLE is prepared to assist them in with a package of assistance when they arrive. The OFWs from Syria will be provided sufficient support under the national Reintegration Program for OFWs, under which several programs are in place and are being implemented.

One reintegration package she cited is the Balik-Pinay, Balik Hanap-buhay Program which is dedicated for distressed women OFWs.

Under the Balik-Pinay, Balik-Hanapbuhay Program, the National Reintegration Center for OFWs of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, an attached agency of the DOLE, provides a P10,000.00 livelihood/business development assistance to returning women OFWs.

The P10,000.00 is intended as a start-up capital for livelihood undertakings that a recipient may choose to engage in such as trading or general merchandise sales/dealership, neighborhood store, agri-business, food service, e-load station and production or manufacturing.

The OFW returnees from Syria may avail of skills training under the Balik-Pinay, Balik-Hanapbuhay Program, under which a returning woman OFW will be trained in various skills, such as cosmetology, haircutting, foot spa, food processing, massage, reflexology, baking, native snack preparation, handicraft, flower arrangement, dress making, beauty care, and pedicure and manicure after which they will be provided with service business starter kits which they can use to engage in home businesses. — (FREEMAN)