The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has repatriated 544,624 overseas Filipinos in line with the government’s move to assist displaced and affected workers abroad.
According to DOLE International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB) Director Alice Visperas, around 49,000 Filipinos have yet to be repatriated.
At least 514, 630 also received assistance through the DOLE’s COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP) which application remains open.
The agency said they have not yet received notification to be repatriated from overseas Filipinos in Israel amid the growing tension with Palestine.
There are around 19,000 documented and 6,000 undocumented OFWs in the area. They have been instructed to avoid going out of their homes to ensure their safety.
The agency added that even the 1,000 OFWs in India have not yet expressed their intention to be repatriated. The Philippine Embassy and Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) continues to assist them, nonetheless.
Meanwhile, the official said the Philippines is now close to meeting the 5,000 deployment cap for nurses. The United Kingdom continues to ask for exemption, while Germany sought for 15,000 nurses. – Report from Louisa Erispe/AG-rir
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