Situation 'very normal,' says OFW group chair in Qatar

Despite the ongoing diplomatic crisis affecting Qatar, the situation there is "very normal," the head of an organization for overseas Filipino workers said Thursday.
"Very normal 'yung sitwasyon po rito," Engr. Ressie Fos, chairman of the United Filipino Organizations in Qatar, said in an interview on Unang Balita.
"Wala naman pong pagkakaiba sa sitwasyon ng mga araw na bago pumutok ang balitang 'yan," he added.
The Arab country is embroiled in a diplomatic crisis with its neighbors after Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain severed their ties with it on Monday over allegations of Qatar's support of terrorism.
Panic buying
Fos confirmed there was panic buying on the day the four countries cut ties with Qatar, but said it could just have been an overreaction.
"Ito ay parang overreaction lang at initial reaction ng mga kababayan natin, maging ng ibang nationals po dito. Ako'y naniniwala na nag-ugat po ito sa mga nabasa sa social media na umano may nagpa-panic buying na. So paglabas po sa opisina ng mga tao ho rito, tipong nadala sila," he said.
Fos clarified that the panic buying was only until the night of June 5, Monday.
"Kahapon nga, balik na sa normal. Punung-puno 'yung mga supermarket ng mga goods and commodities," he said.
Jobs
Fos said so far they have not received word of OFWs in danger of losing jobs as a result of the diplomatic crisis.
"So far wala po tayong nababalitaan pong ganun (mawawalan ng trabaho). Kung mayroon pong ganoon, ako'y naniniwala na hindi iyon related sa pumutok na balita dahil kahit pa naman nu'ng mga nakaraang buwan, talagang medyo taghirap na dito. Talagang marami pa pong mga companies na nagtatanggalan ng mga workers nila," he said.
No cause for worry
Fos also said Labor Secretary Bello was right in saying there is no need to worry about their situation.
"Tama po ang ating mahal na Kalihim na si Sec. Bello na walang dapat ipangamba ang mga families dahil wala namang banta sa security, walang pagkakaiba," he said.
Fos added that the government has promised to look after them.
"Naglabas naman ng statement ang government na tinitiyak po nila na maayos po ang lahat at secured ang food supply natin dito," he said. —KG, GMA News

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