There is good news for the distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Libya as the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) announced that five companies in Libya have expressed their intention to absorb them.

There are 131 OFWs in Libya who are currently unemployed because they decided to fight and air their protests against their foreign employer. The complaints include illegal transfer to a new worksite and making them sign a new contract that indicates a lower salary. A non-governmental organization, Migrante International said that the concerned OFWs still want Libya to be a viable destination for Filipino workers but also demands appropriate intervention to rescue them from their plight.

The DOLE Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Libya responded to the call of OFWs by pursuing intervention and mediation measures. According to the DOLE Secretary, Marianito D. Roque, the decision of the five Libyan companies to hire majority of the 131 OFWs is a result of the government agency’s efforts.

Nasser S. Mustafa, Philippine Labor Attache to Tripoli, Libya, said that the POLO as part of its obligations had earlier inspected the worksite of OFWs in Tripoli Libya. However, when the OFWs arrived in Libya, the company immediately transferred them to a new project site that is located 1,250 kilometers away in Benghazi. This happened without the knowledge of the POLO.

Even so, Mustafa added that during the intervention process, the Libyan company,

ERSAA sincerely made known their intention to help in the resolution by releasing the passport of the OFW’s and entrusting it to the custody of the POLO. The company also promised not to hinder in the employment of OFWs to other companies. In addition, ERSAA also gave an assurance that they will release the remaining salaries of the OFWs.

Mustafa also informed that they had assigned one of their staff in Benghazi, Libya, Mr. Abdulaziz A. Ating to supervise the transfer of the OFWs to a new employer. Mr. Ating is working together with a representative from the recruitment agency, Bison.

The companies to hire the distressed OFWs offered better working and living conditions than the  previous employer. The POLO had started the full documentation of the workers as preparation of their transfer to the new Libyan firms.

The Labor Attache said "The process started with the Al Furusiya Contracting Company, which hired 11 workers who received a full month salary in advance as provided by the said firm. Eight other OFWs also absorbed by the Amal Africa have been provided by the firm with 600 Libyan dinars as advanced salary, with another 500 Libyan dinars sent to their families in RP.”

The five companies in Libya that offered employment to the OFWs are the following: Al Furusiya, United Engineering Company, Al Oula Company, Amal Africa Catering Company, and Al Taqaniya Al Handasia Al Hadeetha.

The said firms will give new jobs to 93 distressed OFWs. According to Mustafa, 29 of the 131 OFWs have decided to go back to the Philippines for good.

 
The United Engineering Co. will hire 24 OFWs and their offer includes processing of the required residence visa, food and accommodation, a two-year working contract subject to POLO review with three months on probationary and basic salary on the following scheme:

a) foreman - US$600 increased to USD750 after probationary period, and

b) skilled workers - basic salary of USD400 increased to $600 after probation.

On the other hand, the Al Oula Co. will absorb about 10 OFWs, and will provide residence visa, two-year contract, salaries in cash paid every month's end either in US dollars or Libyan dinars as preferred by OFWs, free housing accommodation, with the provision of food under negotiation.

The Amal Africa Catering Co. will deploy 35 of the OFWs, and will give salaries ranging from USD400 - USD1,000 according to performance, with 45 days leave a year, advanced salary of one month with a portion sent to their families in RP.

Lastly, Al Taqaniya Al Handasia Al Hadeetha, would give jobs to  24 of the distressed OFWs with free accommodation, food and transportation, residence visa, a monthly salary of USD500 for skilled workers and USD600 for foreman, 8 working hours daily and leave every Friday, provided the OFWs work hard for the interest of the company.