The escalating violence and worsening security situation in Egypt is now on alert level 4 as issued by the Foreign Affairs Secretary, Albert del Rosario. This new development would leave Filipinos working in Egypt with no choice but to go back to the Philippines as alert level 4 requires mandatory evacuation of OFWs there.

Data shows that there are about 6,000 Filipinos in Egypt to be repatriated. However, returning migrant workers need not worry about losing their jobs as they are assured by President Aquino that they would get jobs and livelihood assistance from the Philippine government with the help of the Labor Department, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and other government entities.

Aquino said, “That’s automatic job prospects for any returning OFW. I’m sure Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz is ready to assist them together with TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) and other government entities.”

The President added that the initial budget set by the government is USD240,000 and that the repatriation would be a continuing process. The said amount was entrusted to the Philippine Embassy in Cairo and is intended to help Filipino domestic helpers and students in Egypt go back to the country.

Aquino said that the government was able to give jobs to about 4,000 OFWs who were also forced to evacuate in Libya before. He said that the OFWs were offered a job by AG & P, a construction firm as soon as they arrived home.

He said, “In this case, because this is forced evacuation, and because 5,000 is not an inconsequential number, I’m sure the concerned government agencies have been preparing for this. The situation is really serious, otherwise we will not call for level 4, which is forced repatriation, and I’m sure the embassy in Egypt has been preparing for this.”

Labor Secretary Baldoz already instructed Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Chief, Hans Cacdac to coordinate with the local recruitment agencies and to monitor the concerned insurance agencies of the OFWs. The POEA and the recruitment agencies are now working hand in hand to give plane tickets to 1543 Filipinos in Egypt.

Baldoz also assigned welfare officer Robert Basig from Abu Dhabi to United Arab Emirates and welfare officer Eduardo Mendoza from Manila to Cairo to help make the repatriation process faster.

Meanhwile, the chief of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Carmelita Dimzon is ordered to create an assistance package under the National Reintegration Program for OFWs, particularly livelihood and job referral assistance, temporary shelter, medical care, and counseling.