200 OFWs from Kuwait repatriated

More than 200 distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have been repatriated en masse from Kuwait since July 2010, according to Vice President and Presidential Adviser on OFWs’ Concerns Jejomar Binay.

The Vice President said Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Shulan Primavera said the mass repatriation was done through the efforts of the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait and the Kuwaiti Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor (MOSAL). He added that the MOSAL provided the plane tickets of the OFWs.”

Another batch of 80 OFWs will be arriving from the Middle East kingdom tomorrow via Gulf Air flight GF 156 at 2:55 p.m., according to Binay. Their tickets were provided by the Philippine Embassy and MOSAL.

Meanwhile, 60 distressed OFWs arrived yesterday from Lebanon via Etihad Airways flight EK 332 at 3:45 PM. They were accompanied by officials of the Lebanese government.

The repatriation cost, which amounted to $48,000, was shouldered by the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Assistance to Nationals (ATN) Fund, Binay said.

The DFA also updated Binay on the repatriation of Normahal Estrada, who returned to the country alongside 20 other OFWs last Jan. 2.

Estrada’s case was referred to the DFA for assistance by the Office of the Vice President.

Estrada was admitted to the Filipino Worker’s Resource Center last August 2010 where she was provided with accommodation, meals and medical assistance. The Philippine Embassy issued her travel documents and negotiated with immigration authorities so she would not stay at the deportation center. MOSAL also provided her plane ticket. –Daily Tribune