10,000 OFW contracts in Taiwan not extended due to shooting incident - recruit consultant

More than 10,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Taiwan have returned to the country angry after their job contracts were not extended over the incident where members of the Philippine Coast Guard killed a Taiwanese fisherman off Batanes two months ago, a recruitment consultant said in a news release.

Most of the OFWs who returned from Taiwan have worked in the island for the past three years and were due for an extension for another three years, said Emmanuel Geslani.
“They return to join the four million unemployed Filipinos here,” Geslani said, calling these OFWs “collateral damage” in the diplomatic row between the two countries.

Soon after the incident, Taiwan has stopped the issuance of visas to all visiting Filipinos, including OFWs, effectively stopping the hiring or extending the employment of OFWs.

Most of the returning OFWs have contracts that expired these in the months of May and June.
In a related development, newly elected party-list Congressman Roy Seneres Sr. of the OFW Family Club party has asked the government to disclose the findings of the Department of Justice regarding the May 9 shooting that caused the rift between Taiwan and the Philippines.

DOJ Secretary Leila de Lima previously announced that the Philippine Coast Guard was at fault in the incident, providing no further details of the investigation that followed the shooting.

Taiwan has demanded for an official apology from the Philippine government, the prosecution of those involved in the shooting, compensation for the family of the victim, and fishing talks with the Philippines.

Source:  interaksyon.com

Alert level 2 up in Egypt -- DFA

The Department of Foreign Affairs has raised the crisis alert level in Egypt from 1 to level 2 as peace and order continues to deteriorate in this middle eastern country.

In a press briefing today, DFA Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez strongly advises Filipinos in Egypt to avoid protest areas, restrict their movements and prepare for possible evacuation should the political situation further deteriorate there.

He also said that processing of Filipinos seeking work in Egypt has been put on hold until further notice.

The public is also advised to postpone non-essential trips to Egypt.

"The embassy is ready 24/7 to respond to request for assistance," Hernandez said.(PIA Central/DFA)

source:  PIA