THE government continues to repatriate stranded, distressed and displaced overseas Filipino workers, most of them undocumented, from Lebanon. 

Around 10:10 a.m.,  Gulf Air flight GF 154 touched down at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport with the 54 abused and maltreated returning Filipino workers.

Most of them were penniless and,  instead of valuables, gave sad tales of their horrible experiences  to their families and loved ones who met them at the arrival area of the premier airport.

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration chief Carmelita Dimzon said that the repatriation will continue as part of government assistance to bring home more Filipinos who worked but failed to meet their good fortune in various parts of the world. 

Dimzon was at the airport to personally meet and gave the 54 repatriates comfort and hope. 

The all female batch were mostly distressed workers who ran away from their employers due to maltreatment, non-payment of their wages, overworked without sufficient food, including sexual and physical abuse.

Labor Secretary Rosalinta Baldoz said that she is planning to give Filipinos who left the country illegally to return home to see their children graduate in March.

She will urge the government to review its policy barring them from legalizing their status.

Baldoz said she will ask the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and the OWWA to review the policy that was initiated by former Labor secretary and now Supreme Court Associate Justice Arturo Brion.                     Willy Balasa

Source: http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/ofw/23485-54-distressed-ofws-return-home