MANILA, Philippines – The lives and jobs of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are again disrupted as tensions in the Middle East, particularly the conflict between Israel and Iran, affect the region.
At least 200 Filipinos in Israel have requested repatriation, and are going home in batches. On Tuesday, June 24, a batch of around 30 from Israel, Jordan, Palestine, and Qatar are flying home, along with Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac.
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) gives a briefing on the same day as the work continues to assist OFWs asking for help in the region. There are some 30,000 OFWs in Israel, and only around 30 in Iran.
The Department of Foreign Affairs raised the crisis alert level in both countries to level 3 on Friday, June 20, which means voluntary repatriation for Filipinos based there.
Watch the press conference scheduled for 1:30 pm on Tuesday. – Rappler.com