IMEE ASSISTS OFWs IN MIDDLE EAST

Ilocos Norte Governor Imee R. Marcos, in a visit at Saudi Arabia as part of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s delegation, extended assistance to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the Middle East.

Statistics showed that 61 % of families in Ilocos Norte are being supported by relatives who are OFWs, making the province one of the highest dollar remittance recipients in the country; however, cases of employers’ abuses and illegal recruitment were also reported by many OFWs.

“Maraming kuwento ng pangaabuso, kahirapan ng trabaho, di kaya ay niloko ng recruiter at hirap na dinadanas ang ating mga kababayan dito,” Governor Marcos said, after consulting with the Saudi Minister of Labor, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III, and Congressman Aniceto “John” Bertiz.

In line with this, Governor Marcos paid a visit to the Philippine Embassy in the Middle East, addressing the concerns of undocumented Ilocano OFWs who are applying for amnesty.

She also urged the Saudi authorities to expedite the processes regarding the case of Ilocano OFW Mario Oriol of Sarrat, Ilocos Norte, who has not received his salary for 11 months.

“…Tayo po ay nakikipag-ugnayan na sa mga kinauukulan at kasangga natin si Pangulong Duterte,” the governor said.

Governor Marcos expressed support to President Duterte’s commitment in creating a national agency addressing OFW cases and concerns. (Ma. Christian A. Ramos, PGIN – CMO)