Oman grants 179 OFWs amnesty

08/26/2010

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz yesterday said the Sultanate of Oman has granted amnesty to 179 overstaying overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Baldoz made the announcement after Philippine Labor Attaché to Oman Romeo Young reported that the Oman Ministry of Manpower acted favorably on the applications for amnesty of the 179 OFWs in July.

The Sultanate’s period of granting amnesty for expatriate workers ended last July 31. The amnesty was a gesture of the Sultanate to allow overstaying undocumented workers to facilitate all formalities to exit Oman to avoid paying huge fines.

“The amnesty granted to the 179 paves the way for their repatriation to the Philippines,” Baldoz said, noting that the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Oman will now facilitate the return of the workers under the government’s continuing efforts to provide expanded protection and welfare assistance to distressed OFWs pursuant to President Aquino’s labor and employment agenda.

Young reported that since March, the Philippine Embassy, POLO and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration had repatriated a total of 158 OFWs in March; 67 in April; 58 in May; 24 in June; and 8 in July.

The labor attaché also reported that the Oman Ministry of Labor had canceled the applications for amnesty of 31 OFWs and had released four OFWs to new sponsors.

“Immediately after the grant of amnesty, we have repatriated six minors,” he said. PNA

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