THE Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) has urged all undocumented Filipino workers in Oman to avail of the amnesty being offered by the Sultanate of Oman.
It said the Ministry of Manpower announced a three-month amnesty period for all undocumented migrants starting from May 3 up to July 30. It said upon registration, undocumented migrants can avail themselves of a travel permit to their country of origin without penalty or fines.
“Undocumented OFWs in Oman have been asking and requesting us for help to regularize if not allow them to be repatriated without penalty. The Oman amnesty is an opportunity and this should be availed by all undocumented migrants,” said the Saudi-based M-ME regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona.
Monterona estimated that at least 3,000 undocumented OFWs may avail Oman’s amnesty. Some 150,000 OFWs are working in Oman.
While Migrante appreciated the granting of amnesty for all undocumented migrants by the Sultanate of Oman, Monterona however expressed concern that not all has the means to support their repatriation.
“Undocumented OFWs are in deplorable situation with no regular job, if not no job at all for months or even years. So how could they raise an amount for their airfare and other expenses related to amnesty formalities,” Monterona asked.
He said the Aquino government must immediately assist the undocumented OFWs in Oman so they can return home.
“Information dissemination about Oman amnesty is a must, but issuance of a guideline on how to avail this is also a big help. And this should come from the concerned Philippine Embassy and labor officials in Oman after they’ve got all relevant information about the amnesty,” Monterona said.
Monterona also pointed out that mechanism should be put in place for those who do not have the means to provide their own airfare. He said a one-way flight from Oman to Manila is about P25,000.
He also urged the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Labor and Employment and their respective posts in Oman to come up with a blue print that will provide assistance to all undocumented OFWs so that they could avail of the amnesty.
“Since the Oman amnesty is good for only 3 months, a swift and free mass repatriation plan or program must be developed by the Aquino government,” he said.
Monterona pointed out the small numbers of undocumented OFWs who have availed of previous amnesty grant by Saudi Arabia and Kuwait was mainly due to the absence of a comprehensive repatriation program by the Aquino government.
“Like the previous administrations, Aquino and his foreign and labor honchos have failed to develop a comprehensive repatriation program though the President issued a marching order to fully provide assistance to OFWs on-site during his 2010 inaugural speech,” Monterona said.
He said the increasing numbers of undocumented OFWs around the world is estimated to reach at least 2 million. He said this is alarming because the Aquino government has no comprehensive repatriation program. (Mindanao Examiner)
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