OWWA, DOLE continue repatriation of OFWs from the Middle East

BY Francine Ciasico
Jul 11, 2018 03:51 PM

By Ariel Fernandez

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and Department of labor And Employment (DOLE) continue to repatriate OFWs from the Middle East.

150 repatriated Overseas Filipino Workers are assisted by DOLE,OWWA, and the DFA as they fill out the relief assistance forms after arriving at the NAIA Terminal 1 in Pasay City via Etihad Airways from Kuwait, Tuesday. They are among the thousands of undocumented and overstaying OFWs who availed of Kuwait's amnesty ptogram that started from January 29, 2018 and will end on February 22, 2018. repatriated OFWs (photo by Camille Ante/Manila Bulletin file photo)

Another 30 undocumented and runaway Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) terminal 1 from Abu Dhabi on board Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight PR 657 on Tuesday.

The OFWs were welcomed by the officers and representative of OWWA and DOLE upon their arrival.

What is different from earlier repatriations is that OFWs who were repatriated now will not receive the P5,000 financial assistance given to OFWs from Kuwait.

Still,  the OFWs who were recently repatriated will receive P22,000 in the form of livelihood assistance as part of OWWA's Balik Pinas, Balik Hanap-Buhay program and a transportation allowance.

Some of the Filipinos came to the Middle East using tourist visas while some of them are still minors were thus jailed before they were repatriated. Others were forced to seek shelter at the Philippine Embassy.