Hopes high for Filipino expatriates in Bahrain to survive pandemic

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com   

Amid the coronavirus pandemic that has rendered thousands of Filipino expatriates jobless and forced to return home, visiting high-ranking Philippine diplomatic officials remain confident that those who have decided to stay in Bahrain would overcome challenges.

Philippine Ambassador to Bahrain Alfonso A. Ver agrees, saying: “The Filipinos are very resilient and they can adapt to any job.”

In a virtual press conference held yesterday, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s Special Envoy Robert Eric A. Borje, along with Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Sarah Lou Y. Arriola, and Ambassador Ver spoke about pressing issues concerning the Filipino workers in the Kingdom.

The Presidential Assistant on Foreign Affairs Undersecretary, Borje leads a high-level delegation from the Philippines that arrived in Bahrain on Monday for an official three-day visit.

Undersecretary Borje spoke about the measures taken by the Philippine government to repatriate hundreds of Filipino migrant workers – known as Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) – in the Middle East including Bahrain during the pandemic.

He hailed the partnership between the Philippines and Bahrain on the promotion and protection of migrant workers during these challenging times.

In particular, he lauded the labour reforms that the Kingdom has undertaken such as the flexible visa system and the general amnesty for undocumented workers - which incidentally will end today.

“We thank the government of Bahrain for the partnership that has been moving from strength to strength throughout the years. The Philippine government is appreciative of the many reforms undertaken here in Bahrain,” said Undersecretary Borje.

“In fact, this is one of the reasons why I was specifically sent here by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte that is to convey the message of thanks from him personally to the government of Bahrain and to His Majesty the King.”

Undersecretary Borje noted that the flexi visa system which provides pathways for regularisation gives renewed hope to not just Filipinos but all migrant workers in Bahrain.

He also praised the programmes undertaken by the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) which provides numerous services and assistance to foreign workers.

The assistance does not only come in the form of shelter or housing but it includes legal assistance, as well as psychological and medical assistance, and in some cases, even security.

“The Philippines recognises Bahrain as a leader in the region and around the world for the protection of migrant workers. And it’s a partnership that is valid and we want to further strengthen, and this is why we are back here,” said Undersecretary Borje, recalling their delegation’s first visit last year when they were welcomed by His Majesty the King to his court.

“And this has resulted in further intensified partnership and cooperation between the Philippines and Bahrain on the protection of migrant workers’ rights.”

On the issue of repatriation, Borje disclosed that before arriving in the Kingdom, they have had to repatriate 285 Filipino workers from Bahrain, Lebanon and Syria who lost their jobs due to the pandemic.

Around 300 more Filipinos from Bahrain and the UAE will be brought home today.

To date, the number of repatriated OFWs from around the world has reached 323,436 through 59 chartered flights and 1,200 commercial flights. The Philippine government is providing OFWs with airfare, welfare and medical assistance, as well as shelters.

“And all this just boils down to the intent of the Duterte administration and personally by the President to give service and care for Filipinos,” he said. Meanwhile, Ambassador Ver remains hopeful that more OFWs would avail of the amnesty which ends today.

“We still do not have final numbers yet. But with the frenzy of passport applications and those who wanted to extend their passports to take advantage of the amnesty, you’re looking at a good figure and hopefully this will benefit those who are availing themselves of it,” the Ambassador said.

“Hopefully, as we recover from this pandemic I’m sure that Filipinos will continue to take advantage of this amnesty. They are all expecting that when the economy opens, the Filipino community here will be ready to take advantage and return to their jobs and fulfill whatever Bahrain might need.”