Cancel licenses of recruiters who abandoned their OFWs
in strife-torn Libya - Villar

Sen. Manny Villar yesterday said he will recommend stiff sanctions be slapped on local recruitment agency which abandoned their OFWs in turmoil-stricken Libya by cancelling their licenses.

Villar said he will ask from Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz and Philippine Overseas Employment Administrator (POEA) the full list of licensed recruitment agencies which have deployed OFWs in Libya but were never to be seen during the repatriation effort.

He stressed he will strongly recommend the cancellation of the licenses of the negligent recruiters to send a message that the welfare of the country's OFWs should also be their priority during times of crisis.

"Pagkatapos ng gulo at nakauwi ng maayos ang natitira nating mga OFWs, hihilingin ko sa POEA at kay Labor Secretary Baldoz ang listahan ng mga licensed recruitment agencies na nagpabaya sa mga OFWs na kanilang dineploy sa Libya. Dapat lang na parusahan sila gaya ng pagmulta, suspindihin o tuluyang tanggalan ng lisensiya dahil pag-abandona nila ang ating mga kababayan," Villar said.

"Ang trabaho ng recruitment agency ay di nagtatapos sa pagprocess ng papeles at pagba-bye bye sa kanila sa airport. Dapat kaagapay din sila sa pahanong namimiligro ang kanilang trabaho at buhay," he added.

The senator likewise filed a resolution lauding the effort of LBS Recruitment Agency and employer Paris-based VINCI Construction Grand Projects for running to the rescue of 97 trapped OFWs in Libya.

Ten of the rescued OFWs in Libya that were employed by the said company led by recruiter Loreto B. Soriano and Ms.Toots Ople of Ople Policy Center paid a courtesy visit to Villar in the Senate on Tuesday to thank the senator for recognizing their contribution.

"Hangang-hanga po kami sa inyong pangunguna sa inyong paggawa ng resolusyon at kaya nga kami pumunta rito ay para magbigay ng suporta," 54-year old OFW Jimwel Alunen told the senator referring to the Senate resolution.

"Patunay ito na kung matino ang foreign employer at recruiter, ligtas at maganda ang kalagayan ng ating OFWs," Villar told the rescued OFW.

It was learned from Soriano that even before the crisis became full blown in Libya, VINCI Construction already made preparations for the repatriation of its Filipino workers, billeted them in a hotel before sending them home on board a commercial flight out of Libya last February 26, 2011.

Villar said aside from slapping sanctions against negligent recruitment agencies, he will also inquire into the expenses so far incurred by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and even by the national government in bringing home to safety the trapped OFWs in Libya.

He stressed government should not dip its hands into the OWWA funds for its repatriation effort since these are earmarked for other programs and needs of OFWs.

"Gusto din nating malaman kung naglabas ba ng sariling pondo ang gobyerno para sa repatriation o 100 percent ba na sa pondo ng OWWA kinukuha ang lahat? Kasi kung puro sa OWWA, ibig sabihin ang mga OFWs din ang gumagastos para sa kaligtasan at hindi ang gobyerno. Dapat din naman na mag-realign ang gobyerno ng pondo para ilaan sa gagastusin ng DFA at DOLE sa paglikas ng OFWs mula sa Libya," Villar said.

The senator also told the visiting OFWs that he would push for the creation of a separate department for migrant workers and overseas Filipinos to effectively focus on the plight and welfare of Filipinos abroad.

"The DFA is focused on maintaining harmonious diplomatic relations with other countries while DOLE's work is often limited to looking after the welfare of our local workers. There should be a separate Department of Migrant Workers or Overseas Filipinos to directly attend to the needs of our compatriots working or living abroad," Villar said.