Gov’t studying contingency plan for OFWs in Libya

MANILA, Philippines - Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario is in Tripoli to discuss with officials of the Philippine embassy and the Rapid Response Team the implementation of a contingency plan for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Libya.

Del Rosario left for Tripoli on Tuesday as the crisis alert level in the North African country was raised from two to three due to the escalating tension.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Del Rosario decided to personally go due to the worsening crisis in Libya where an estimated 13,122 Filipinos reside.

“The crisis alert level was raised from level 2 (restriction phase) to level 3 (voluntary repatriation phase) effective Thursday,” the DFA said.

Under alert level 3, Filipinos are encouraged to voluntarily leave the country at the soonest possible time.

The Philippine government will shoulder the repatriation expenses of the OFWs.

Filipinos in Libya are advised to contact the Philippine embassy in Tripoli to coordinate their repatriation with them.

In February 2011, OFWs in Libya crossed the Libyan-Egyptian border as tension escalated between the government security forces and protesters who were demanding the resignation of Col. Moammar Gadhafi.

Del Rosario at the time took personal risk when he defied advice and warnings against travel to Tunisia and Libya in order to lead OFWs out of danger zones.

The DFA chief returned to Tripoli in March 2011 to make a last call for Filipinos to go home.

He led Filipino workers out of Libya through the Tunisian border, but many opted to stay behind due to the prospect of facing non-employment and economic hardship back home.

Many decided to remain in Libya as employers promised them salary increases, while some were worried over the loss of their gratuity pay – equivalent to one full month’s salary – if they would not finish their contract.

The workers were more concerned about remitting money to their families than the air strikes in Libya, asking how the government could help them with their remittance.