Contingency measures readied for OFWs in Lebanon

Amid renewed tension in Lebanon, the Philippine government is readying contingency measures to ensure the safety of some 20,000 Filipinos working there.

"We are concerned about the developments in Lebanon so we are closely monitoring the condition of our workers there and we are now upgrading our contingency plans," said Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) chief Marianito Roque.

Although Roque discounted the possibility of an immediate evacuation, he assured that the OWWA is ready to repatriate the overseas Filipino workers there if necessary.

"OWWA is ready to repatriate our workers from Lebanon but we will have to judge the situation as it happens," Roque explained.

Thousands of Lebanese mounted a general strike Tuesday called by the political opposition to try to topple the government there.

No Filipinos were reportedly hurt in the massive protest wherein roads were blocked with blazing tires and cars. Clashes with government loyalists killed three people and wounded 133, police said.

The violence raised the stakes in a campaign by Hezbollah and its allies to oust Prime Minister Fouad Siniora’s Western-supported government. Siniora vowed to stand firm.

Roque said that out of the 20,000 Filipinos estimated to be working in Lebanon, about 3,000 sneaked into the war-torn country again shortly after they were repatriated back to the Philippines. A majority of the Filipinos there are domestic helpers.

According to Roque, the government is not considering immediate evacuation of Filipino workers as only few have availed themselves of the free repatriation program at the height of the war there last year.

Of the estimated 30,000 Filipinos in Lebanon, only 6,000 have availed themselves of the government’s repatriation program, which President Arroyo implemented after war broke between Israeli and Hezbollah forces in July 2006.

But Roque said about 25 maids who ran away from their Lebanese employers are awaiting repatriation next week. — Mayen Jaymalin