Task force vs illegal recruiters in the works

MANILA, Philippines - Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the United Arab Emirates had been reassured over the weekend that a task force to check illegal recruitment is now in the works in Manila.

Vice President Manuel “Noli" de Castro Jr. made the assurance during a visit to a labor office in Dubai Saturday, according to a report on news site Khaleej Times.

De Castro’s visit came in the wake of reports that 137 drivers were recently brought to Ajman illegally. He visited distressed Filipino workers at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Deira, where a lawyer was hired to defend the victims of illegal recruitment.

He also spoke to the representatives of the 137 drivers, who were hired in Manila for P564,000 (Dh56,400) to decide how they could return to the Philippines.

Also, he heard distressed runaway household helpers, some of whom claimed they were victims of rape, physical and verbal abuse, maltreatment and non-payment of wages. Several of them broke down as they related their stories and asked for assistance to go home, the report said.

De Castro said he would follow up for funds with the Undersecretary of Migrant Workers Affairs (UMWA) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

As he prepared to proceed to Damascus in Syria to inaugurate the new Philippine embassy, he said there are 17,000 Filipinos workers in Syria, and the setting up of a Philippine embassy will legitimize their stay.

He also informed the workers the Philippine government is still banning the entry of Filipino workers to Lebanon and Jordan until their governments sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to protect the Filipino workers. - GMANews.TV

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