DOLE chief: 18,000 OFWS lose jobs anew due to Covid disruption
AROUND 18,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFW) have lost their jobs recently due to the economic disruption caused by the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reported on Tuesday.
In his report to President Duterte last Monday, Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III said the number of displaced OFWS rose to 647,827 from just 630,000 on April 4, 2021.
“They were displaced. Meaning, they lost their jobs or even if they did not lose their jobs, they could not earn a living because they were prevented from reporting for work because of Covid-19,” Bello said.
Of the latest figure, Bello said 49,000 are in the process of repatriation, while 78,519 opted to remain in their host countries.
Those who opted to remain, the labor chief said, decided to stay onsite since they were already inoculated with the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) vaccine, which boosted their chance of being reemployed.
Bello also said 19,148 OFWS were infected with Covid-19. Of the said cases 940 died and the 10,466 were able to recover.
DOLE was able to repatriate the bulk, or 519,566 of the overall displaced OFWS, who were given
They were displaced. Meaning, they lost their jobs or even if they did not lose their jobs, they could not earn a living because they were prevented from reporting for work because of Covid-19.
Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III
aid by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) like accommodation, food, and transportation.
Bello said DOLE already spent P11.4 billion of its funds for the said assistance.
Bello also discussed the disbursement of P5 billion to extend a one-time cash aid of P10,000 or $200 to over 505,000 displaced workers under the Abot Kamay sa Pagtulong sa mga OFW (AKAP) program.