Govt urged to send team to Namibia to help terminated OFWs

MANILA, Philippines - A group of overseas Filipino workers based in the Middle East is urging the Arroyo administration to send representatives to Namibia to help the 250 OFWs who have been terminated from work.

The Filipinos had worked for Ramatex Textile Namibia, southern Africa’s largest textile manufacturing industry located in the outskirts of Windhoek.

The firm was shut down early this month over claims of losses of up to N$500 million (P2.6 billion).

Earlier, the Filipinos vowed to reject any assistance for repatriation until they get their claims from their employer.

John Leonard Monterona, Middle East regional coordinator for Migrante International, said in a statement that the Arroyo administration should ensure the OFWs would get the protection they deserve.

“There is no Philippine Embassy in Namibia, but this should not be made an excuse of not sending official government representatives to the southern African country to look after the retrenched OFWs," Monterona said.

He added that there is enough money to finance government officials’ travel to Namibia.

“OFWs and their families will be more than happy to know that the US$25.00 membership contribution to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (now reaching to US$10 billion) would really be spent for their protection," Monterona said. - Fidel Jimenez, GMANews.TV

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