DOLE: More than 80k OFWS given assistance

THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said more than 80,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWS) affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic in various locations across the globe received cash, food and medical assistance.

On top of a one-time $200 cash assistance given to OFWS, the labor department said it also distributed food packs, face masks and medicines through Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOS) in 40 foreign posts.

As of May 29, the labor department said it has extended assistance to 81,388 OFWS.

The DOLE said that of this number, 66,271 are from Middle East and Africa, 3,637 are from Asia and the Pacific while 9,403 are from Europe and Americas.

The Kuwait POLO distributed food packs to 28,179 OFWS, the DOLE said. There were 9,358 and 7,723 beneficiaries in Jeddah and Qatar, respectively.

Meanwhile, the POLOS in the United Arab Emirates reached out to 3,437 OFWS. Of this number, 1,820 beneficiaries are in Abu

Dhabi and 1,617 received assistance in Dubai.

On top of the food and medical assistance, 2,077 OFWS who were found Covid-positive were also given $200 cash assistance by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, the DOLE said. Of the total, 1,937 are land-based and 140 are sea-based OFWS. Lebanon registered the most number of Covidpositive beneficiaries at 1,104.

The labor department said it will continue its campaign to help all onsite OFWS affected by the pandemic, which has reached more than 320,000.