DOLE readies jobs for OFWs from strife-torn Libya

DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the countries being considered for deployment of affected Filipino medical workers are Japan, Germany and United Kingdom. (PCOO File Photo)

MANILA — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the crisis in Libya are likely to be deployed to other countries.

DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the countries being considered for deployment of affected Filipino medical workers are Japan, Germany and United Kingdom.

“These countries are also in need of health workers so we might consider deploying them there,” Bello said in a press conference on Monday.

There are 2,600 documented OFWs in Libya, most of them are health workers, according to DOLE data.

Meanwhile, Bello said a forced repatriation of the Filipinos in Libya is likely due to the escalating violence there.

“It is very possible that the Alert Level 3 in Libya will be upgraded to Alert Level 4, which would mean forced repatriation of Filipinos there,” he said.

Bello also said they are coordinating with the Department of Foreign Affairs to assess the situation there.

Due to the crisis Alert Level 3 in Libya, the Philippines had started implementing voluntary repatriation for Filipinos.

The DOLE chief said a quick response team composed of six personnel will be deployed on Tuesday in Tunisia to assist workers who will return home with or without the raising of the alert level in Libya.

“This will be a preventive move by DOLE to send our team to Tunisia to help assist in repatriating our countrymen,” he said.

Bello said about 10 OFWs have already expressed their intention to go home as of posting time.