In Israel, POLO calls on OFWs to stay calm and watchful


Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday said that Philippine Labor Attache to Israel Jaime P. Jimenez has reported that the Filipino community in Israel has been reminded to stay calm, but watchful, on account of the news of the planned attack by the United and its allies on Syria.
Syria, which shares a northern border with Israel and Lebanon, is embroiled in a prolonged civil war, and the government has been earnestly repatriating overseas Filipino workers, mostly domestic helpers, from that country to ensure their welfare and safety.
"I have been informed by Labor Attache Jimenez that the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv has re-activated the Philippine contingency plan for any emergency that could affect our OFWs. The POLO has reminded our OFWs in Israel to remain calm and vigilant," Baldoz said.
Jimenez said the POLO has met with accredited Israeli foreign placement agencies and representatives of the Federation of Filipino Communities in Israel to discuss updates and concerns on the current political situation in Syria. He said the Philippine Embassy has also assigned its personnel, including POLO staff, to specific tasks in monitoring and responding to any emergency situation.
"The welfare and interest, as well as the safety of our OFWs in Israel, and in any country of destination for that matter, are foremost and takes the highest consideration in times of conflict, calamity, or turmoil. But I also call on our OFWs to cooperate with the government, refrain from unnecessary activities that may pose risks, and be on guard," said Baldoz.
Other neighboring countries that may feel the effects of an escalation of the Syrian civil war and which hosts many OFWs are Lebanon and Jordan.

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