By Analou De Vera
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is appealing to Filipino workers in Libya to accept the government's repatriation program amid escalating violence in the African state.
Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III (ROBINSON NIÑAL JR./ PRESIDENTIAL FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
“We have been appealing to them to go the embassy for immediate repatriation,” said Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III.
The labor chief said that he is planning to hire a former Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) official as consultant to lead the DOLE's augmentation team that was already sent to Libya.
“Meron na kaming augmentation team doon composed of three administrative staff and three welfare officer. And then, I am planning to hire as consultant yung former DFA official who have a long experience in handling the Libyan problem to lead yung team na iyon ,” he said.
Bello said they already have the addresses of the Filipino workers in Tripoli.
“Meron na. Kinuha na ng aming labor attaché ,” he said.
“At saka yung karamihan doon willing na pero may mga iba din na ayaw pang umuwi kasi di pa nila nakukuha yung suweldo nila for one year ,” he added.
Bello assured that they will “handle the collection” of workers’ salaries and provide financial assistance.
“Ang explanation ng aming labor attaché is that we will handle yung collection ng kanilang salary. In the meantime, when they come home para hindi naman sila penniless we would give them financial assistance and consider giving them loan ,” he said.
The labor department said there are over 2,600 documented Filipino workers in Libya.
Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III (ROBINSON NIÑAL JR./ PRESIDENTIAL FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
“We have been appealing to them to go the embassy for immediate repatriation,” said Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III.
The labor chief said that he is planning to hire a former Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) official as consultant to lead the DOLE's augmentation team that was already sent to Libya.
“Meron na kaming augmentation team doon composed of three administrative staff and three welfare officer. And then, I am planning to hire as consultant yung former DFA official who have a long experience in handling the Libyan problem to lead yung team na iyon ,” he said.
Bello said they already have the addresses of the Filipino workers in Tripoli.
“Meron na. Kinuha na ng aming labor attaché ,” he said.
“At saka yung karamihan doon willing na pero may mga iba din na ayaw pang umuwi kasi di pa nila nakukuha yung suweldo nila for one year ,” he added.
Bello assured that they will “handle the collection” of workers’ salaries and provide financial assistance.
“Ang explanation ng aming labor attaché is that we will handle yung collection ng kanilang salary. In the meantime, when they come home para hindi naman sila penniless we would give them financial assistance and consider giving them loan ,” he said.
The labor department said there are over 2,600 documented Filipino workers in Libya.