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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Over 6,600 OFWs back home since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak

Over 6,600 OFWs back home since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak

Published Apr 6, 2020 12:00 am
By Roy Mabasa A total of 6,656 distressed overseas Filipinos have been repatriated back to the Philippines following the worldwide outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (OUMWA) of the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a report on April 6, Monday. (DFA / MANILA BULLETIN) (DFA / MANILA BULLETIN) Of the total number of repatriates, 4,687 were seafarers from 30 cruise ships while 1,969 were land-based workers. While the government vowed to continue repatriating OFWs from various parts of the world, it seeks the public’s understanding and patience as many countries are on lockdown and most airplanes are grounded due to the pandemic. More than 800 distressed OFWs are expected to return this week, according to OUMWA. In the Middle East, the Kuwaiti government facilitates the repatriation of distressed OFWs through an ongoing amnesty program that includes free flights back to the Philippines. Bahrain, on the other hand, waived the monthly fees of foreigners holding Flexi visas for the next three months.
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