Protecting OFWs from quakes, revolts and all - part I

The readiness of our government to provide full, immediate and unconditional protection to our migrant workers all over the world, is being tested once again, and this time, from all fronts. There was a strong earthquake in New Zealand, a raging revolt in Libya, also in Bahrain and Yemen, just immediately after the Egypt crisis, and then, there is a serious diplomatic and political stand off involving our relations with Taiwan.

In all these, we need leadership, plans, personnel and expertise in rescue and search operations. The eyes of all migrant workers, as well as those of their families and the whole world are upon government, particularly the President himself, the Vice President who has a mandate concerning OFWs; the DFA, DOLE, POEA, OWWA, and the ambassadors, consuls and Embassy staff on the ground, as well as the Labor Attachés and Welfare Officers in all countries where OFWs have been deployed, whether or not with documentation.

The expectations of OFWs and their families are simply overwhelming. Wives, husbands, parents, children and siblings want our government to be on top of the situation, constantly informing them of every development and above all, to bring home their loved ones safely and without delay. Families want immediate, regular and clear information about the conditions of our workers, whether they are oil and gas engineers in the deserts in Libya, or domestic helpers in the royal household in Bahrain, or consultants in Yemen, whether they are nurses and teachers in New Zealand or electronic machine operators in Taiwan, their families want government to be precise, timely and unequivocal in giving ot facts and information.

They don’t need apologies, alibis or rationalizations. They want government to tell them all with transparency and candor. Worried wives and mothers are frantically calling the DFA and DOLE 24/7 and would consider it criminal if nobody would pick up the phone, or would give them bull.

These people know very well deep in their hearts that no government on earth, not even the USA nor UK could ever give full guarantee of total saftey for our migrant workers.

Nonetheless, in times of crises, they want clear and immediate action, with government leaving no stone unturned to provide protection and assistance to all affected workers wherever they are and whoever they are, whether documented or not.

They want the DFA, DOLE and all these agencies tasked to do something to manifest competent and committed efforts on the ground. They would love to see the Ambassador right in the ruins in New Zealand, and the Consuls and Labor Attachés to be in the thick of rescue operations in Tripoli and Bengazi. They want welfare officers rescuing beleaguered domestic helpers in Manama or meeting the OFWs in the deserts of Yemen and Libya.

They hate to see these people in the comforts of their offices giving press conferences and making the politicians look good. These are times of crisis and all hands must be on deck.

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