MANILA — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) emphasized that all overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), regardless of their status, will be assisted in their repatriation from Lebanon.
DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia clarified that during conflicts, such as the tensions between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, there is no differentiation between documented and undocumented OFWs.
“We no longer distinguish between documented and undocumented OFWs when there’s conflict. Whether you are documented or not, we treat everyone the same. We will assist them. In fact, we have a hotline and communication lines open through the Task Force Lebanon’s help desk,” Olalia told ABS-CBN News on Monday.
He explained that OFWs can contact the hotline, and personnel from the Migrant Workers Office, along with the Philippine Embassy, will coordinate to assist or even retrieve those who need help.
Olalia noted that while the number of undocumented OFWs in Lebanon is unclear, communication with their groups remains active. Currently, there have been no reports of Filipino casualties from the ongoing airstrikes.
He added that the DMW has established three shelters in Lebanon, including one in Beirut, and additional shelters have been prepared in case the number of OFWs seeking repatriation increases. The department is waiting for international flights to resume as two batches of OFWs are set to return in early October.
Despite the ongoing conflict, some OFWs are choosing to stay due to various reasons, while others face challenges such as employers refusing to release them or withholding their passports. The DMW assured that it would still facilitate repatriation, even for those without their travel documents.
Since the conflict began, around 400 OFWs have been repatriated, out of an estimated 11,000 Filipinos currently in Lebanon. Most of these workers are women employed as domestic workers.