October 1 ------ Amid escalating tensions between Hezbollah and Israel, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Lebanon are urgently requesting repatriation. During an online press conference held by Migrante International, workers expressed dissatisfaction with the Philippine government’s perceived slow response.
Joanna Concepcion, president of Migrante International, highlighted the struggles faced by OFWs, noting their hesitance to return home. Rachel Kiocho, a nail technician in Dahieh, described her frightening situation amidst bombings, revealing that her employer abandoned her.
Reports indicate that some employers are concealing the war’s severity from their workers and withholding passports. The Department of Migrant Workers announced that repatriation flights for over a dozen Filipinos have been rescheduled to October 3 due to flight suspensions amid the conflict. Christine Lao, another OFW, shared her fear of constant explosions, stating it has become a life-or-death situation for many. She criticized the embassy’s repatriation process, which has left many waiting for updates without resolution.
The escalating conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, fueled by recent tensions following Hamas’ attacks, continues to pose a threat to regional stability, placing countless civilian lives at risk.
Source: manilastandard.net
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