DFA intensifies efforts to bring home OFWs in Syria

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is intensifying its mandatory repatriation program in Syria as a total of 56 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) arrived in Manila on January 8, according to a Philippine Daily Inquirer report.

Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Esteban B Conejos Jr accompanied the OFWs who arrived via a Qatar Airways flight.

The DFA is working to bring home Filipinos as the continuing violence in Syria threatens the safety of OFWs, many of whom came to the country illegally.

Last month, DFA has classified the country under Alert Level No. 4, which entails the forced repatriation of Filipino nationals at government’s expense. In spite of this, however, many Filipinos refuse to leave the country for fear of losing their jobs. Furthermore, the problem is complicated as other OFWs, who are victims of illegal recruitment and human trafficking, are also coming to Syria.

Part of government’s efforts is the process of negotiating with employers so they would allow their Filipino employees to go home.

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