
Livelihood for OFWs from Lebanon
Maria Theresa S. Samante, Aug 3, 2006
The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) promised to the returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from the war-torn Lebanon that the government would provide them an alternative means of livelihood.
Newly appointed Labor Chief Arturo Brion said that the government, together with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), will help returning OFWs find a new alternative ways of living.
Interested OFWs who wants to avail the livelihood program offered by OWWA can take entrepreneurship course so they can gain skill on how to run their own business, the labor chief added.
�Aside from the entrepreneurship training, may kaunting capital din na ibibigay ang OWWA. I�m just not sure of the amount to be provided,� he said.
Brion also said that the government will endow assistance to the returning OFWs throught the whole stretch of their journey from Lebanon going back home.
�Ang concern namin, makapunta sila sa kanilang pamilya, tinutulungan namin silang makarating sa kanilang mga mga tahanan. Nagpo-provide ang pamahalaan ng libreng pamasahe hanggang pag-uwi sa kanilang mga probinsya,� he added.
On the other hand, Brion said that returning OFWs who still plan to work abroad can seek assistance with OWWA and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).
�They can communicate with the OWWA regional offices kung gusto nilang bumalik para magtrabaho overseas. They can coordinate with the OWWA and the POEA para makita kung anong mga trabaho ang available overseas at saan sila aakma,� he said.