Labor Dept. resolves dispute, repatriates 39 OFWs from Libya

The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) has settled a labor dispute involving 39 Filipino workers in Tripoli, Libya, who have complained of delayed salaries, unsuitable accommodations, inadequate food and water, and lack of medical benefits.

Citing a report of labor attaché to Libya Nasser Mustafa, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the 39 workers were deployed by First Cosmopolitan Manpower and Promotion Services Inc., a licensed overseas recruitment agency, to the Al Makarem Co. in Al Jameil, Libya.

Baldoz said the workers’ problems were first brought to the attention of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (Polo) in Libya in early June 2010 by one of the affected workers. Later, he was joined by the other workers in filing a formal complaint.

In his report, Mustafa said he made several representations with the company after verifying the authenticity of the complaints by demanding payment of the workers’ unpaid five months salaries.

“I also demanded the provision of other contractual obligations and benefits, such as humane accommodation and medical attention,” Mustafa said.

He reported that despite early assurances by the employer and the deploying agency that the salaries, including airfare for repatriation, of the workers will be paid, Al Makarem Co. refused to fulfill its obligations and only three of the workers were repatriated.

Because of Mustafa’s persistence, First Cosmopolitan Manpower and Promotion Services Inc. advanced the salary of all 39 workers for March 2010. Yet the promised full payment before the Ramadan had not yet materialized, prompting 15 of the workers to ask that they be repatriated.

“I already received instructions from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration Repatriation Unit for the repatriation of the workers, so I made the necessary repatriation of the first 18 workers on Aug. 16, 2010. However, I emphasized to the erring company that the workers should be paid first,” Mustafa said.

“Last Aug. 18, the company released in full to all the 39 workers their unpaid salaries. On the same day, five of the affected workers were given their airplane tickets. The settlement was witnessed by a Polo staff,” he said.

On Aug. 22, the workers, escorted by the Polo to the airport, went home to the Philippines. In Manila, they were met at the airport by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration which also provided them with appropriate services. PNA