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| The Bahrain MWO staff (in purple) tells OFWs there was no more cash aid for them |
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac ordered the recall Monday of a staff member at the Migrant Workers Office in Bahrain who was filmed telling overseas Filipino workers who had lined up to ask for financial aid that there were no more funds.
“I have issued the order recalling that MWO Bahrain employee being highly disrespectful to OFWs in a viral video,” Cacdac said in a social media post.
He assured OFWs of his office’s continuing commitment to serve “with humility, respect and hard work.”
Cacdac made the move after being informed of the Sunday incident by Senator Raffy Tulfo, chairman of the Senate’s Committee on Migrant Workers, who was given a copy of the video by some OFWs.
In the video, the unnamed staff could be heard telling OFWs who were lingering outside the MWO office: “Magsumbong na kayo sa mga gusto ninyong pagsumbungan, wala ng pondo. Ang Manila ho ang nagsasabing wala ng pondo.”
(You could seek help from anyone you want, there are no more funds. Our Manila office is the one that says the fund has all been used up).
The OFWs in the video could be heard asking for “ayuda” or financial help, saying they were also affected by the worsening tension in the Middle East.
The Philippine Embassy in Bahrain had earlier posted an advisory saying the distribution of financial assistance to OFWs was being temporarily suspended.
The Embassy also said that they would no longer entertain those who do not secure prior appointment, in line with the host country’s security guidelines.
Cacdac meanwhile clarified that the financial help given to OFWs who have lost their jobs in Bahrain amounts to Php3,000 but said this is likely to be raised.
He added recipients will no longer have to line up at the Embassy to apply for the cash aid as this will be deposited directly to their E-wallets.
His statement came amid calls for a clarification from some OFWs who said they were promised USD200 for the cash assistance, but were given only USD50 each.
