Senator Erwin Tulfo has urged labor agencies to roll out an emergency recovery plan for Filipinos whose overseas jobs in the Middle East have been put on hold as military tensions escalated in the region.
Tulfo, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, said government assistance should not only focus on Filipinos already caught in conflict zones, but also on those who were about to depart for work and are now stranded in limbo.
“While we are concerned about our fellow Filipinos who are caught in the conflict in countries affected by the airstrikes in the Middle East, we also call on the Department of Migrant Workers and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration to also give attention to Filipinos who were about to leave the country for work, but had to stay due to the ongoing unrest in the region,” he said in a statement on Sunday.
He stressed that many of these workers, particularly first-time overseas Filipino workers from the provinces, had already spent heavily on placement fees, medical exams, and other requirements before their deployment was stalled.
“Most of these Filipinos come from the provinces. They have already spent money on requirements in the hope of securing decent opportunities in the Middle East,” Tulfo said.
The senator cited reports from affected workers who said they have yet to receive clear guidance from authorities or recruitment agencies about their status.
According to them, no formal notice has been issued to address their situation, leaving them uncertain about whether their deployment will proceed.
Tulfo proposed tapping the ₱2-billion Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFWs na Nangangailangan (AKSYON) Fund to provide immediate assistance.
“We are calling on the Department of Migrant Workers to give importance to our Overseas Filipino Workers who are affected by this crisis as part of our commitment to protecting our workers,” he said.
He added that support should go beyond financial relief.
“We should exhaust all the remedies available for them not only on the financial aspect, but also for their mental health,” Tulfo said.
As “major combat operations” unfolded, Tulfo said his office had been coordinating with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Migrant Workers to activate contingency measures, including preparing repatriation plans for those who may opt to return home.