By PNA and Argyll Cyrus Geducos
A total of 234 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from the Kingdom of Bahrain and United Arab Emirates were brought home following a special mission to the Middle East.
The 234 repatriates include three abandoned minors, several detainees
who had been imprisoned in Dubai, wards, and minor children from the
shelters of the Philippine embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General
in Dubai. They were either affected by lockdowns, unavailable commercial
flights, or expired work contracts.
The repatriation was facilitated by the 14-man Philippine special mission, led by Special Envoy and Presidential Assistant on Foreign Affairs and Chief of Presidential Protocol Robert EA Borje, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Sarah Arriola, and Presidential Communications Operations Office Assistant Secretary for Global Media and Public Affairs JV Arcena.
The flight that brought home the 234 OFWs was the 60th chartered flight arranged by the Department of Foreign Affairs as part of the Duterte administration’s “Kalinga at Malasakit” for OFWs amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
In the wake of the pandemic, the Philippine government has stepped up its efforts to ensure the welfare of OFWs are taken care of. Among the measures implement to assist OFWs are the Assistance to Nationals and the
repatriation programs.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, more than 320,000 overseas Filipinos have been repatriated.
While in the Middle East, Borje was granted a 30-minute audience by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa of Bahrain on December 31.
During the meeting, Borje handed President Duterte's letter to the Crown Prince which emphasized the value placed by the Philippine leader on the friendship with His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa.
Reforms in kafala system
In the same letter, Duterte expressed the Philippines' readiness to help the Kingdom of Bahrain advocate reforms in the “egregious” kafala or sponsorship system.
READ MORE: PH ready to work with Bahrain to advocate reforms in kafala system
The kafala or sponsorship system regulates the lives of millions of migrant laborers in the Middle East.
However, exploitation, human rights abuses, racism, and gender discrimination have fueled calls for reform.
Duterte likewise thanked Bahrain for upholding migrant workers’ rights.
Borje said Duterte, in particular, commended the Kingdom for its efforts to dismantle the kafala system while reiterating the President's stand that Filipinos are not slaves to anyone.
“President Duterte recognizes Bahrain’s leadership in upholding migrant workers’ rights and in reforming the sponsorship system,” Borje said.
The Crown Prince and Prime Minister highlighted the importance of cooperation on human rights and migrant workers’ rights in multilateral fora in order to effectively end the kafala system and address related issues, including human trafficking.
According to Borje, the Crown Prince said that Bahrain “will not abuse that trust”, citing that respect for humanity and human dignity was a core Bahraini value.
The Bahraini monarch added that the kingdom continues on the path of labor and migrant reforms that other nations can follow.
Care for Filipinos assured
The Crown Prince likewise stressed that relations between the Kingdom and the Philippines were important, recognizing the contributions of Filipinos to the socio-economic development of the Kingdom.
He assured Borje that Filipinos in the Kingdom will be taken care of.
“The Crown Prince and Prime Minister stressed that it is the responsibility of the Bahrain government to take care of Filipinos in the Kingdom. The Crown Prince and Prime Minister said that this includes complete access to medical attention and care, regardless of citizenship,” the Office of the President's statement read.
Borje said the Crown Prince expressed willingness to work with the Philippines in establishing consultative and coordinating mechanisms at the Ministerial Level to ensure that collaborative efforts are acted on decisively.
Borje noted that increased trade and investment, cooperation in education, human resource development, public health, as well as Islamic banking and financial technology are particular areas of interest.
He added that cooperation in Islamic banking would provide crucial support for the President’s peace and development agenda for the Bangsamoro in Mindanao.
No one will be left behind
In his speech upon arrival at NAIA with the 234 repatriates, Borje conveyed President Duterte's message of appreciation and concern for OFWs.
He said all Filipinos, regardless of their status, would not be left behind, adding that the administration would continue to provide “Kalinga at Malasakit” assistance to OFWs affected by the pandemic.
With the OFWs ringing in the new year mid-flight on the way back to Manila, Borje reassured repatriates of the President’s and the government’s continued commitment to serve and ensure their well-being.