The Department of Migrant Workers reported that the Philippine government has assisted over 2,400 overseas Filipino workers with 82 dependents from Israel and Lebanon since last year. 

Migrant Workers Undersecretary Felicitas Bay said a total of 1,100 OFWs have been repatriated from Israel including 30 dependents.

 The latest batch arrived on Thursday, Dec. 5 with 54 OFWs who worked as caregivers in Israel.

 Most of repatriated OFWs from the conflict-stricken country are caregivers and hotel workers.

 DMW shuts down alleged illegal recruitment agency

“‘Yun pong ating mga caregiver at hotel worker, meron tayong mga pinaplano diyan na iko-coordinate namin sa opisina ng policy cluster sa mga pangangailangan sa ating mga European markets,” Bay said in a press conference on Thursday, Dec. 5.

 Alert Level 2 or restriction phase is still in place in Israel after it was hoisted by the Department of Foreign Affairs last year.

 Meanwhile, a total of 1,298 OFWs with 52 dependents have been brought home from Lebanon since October last year.

 Two more batches consisting of 42 OFWs will arrive this month.

 For now, 180 OFWs are still staying in two shelters in Lebanon awaiting repatriation.

 Lebanon remains at Alert Level 3 which means voluntary repatriation since last year. 

DMW shuts down alleged illegal recruitment agency

“Lagi nating hinihikayat ang ating mga kababayan sa Lebanon na magparehistro at magpalista sa ating embahada at sa migrant workers office kung sila ay nagnanais nang makauwi,” Bay said.

 The agency assured that repatriated Filipinos are well taken care of including psychosocial counseling and financial aid from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, training vouchers from Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and P150,000 financial assistance from DMW and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.