If it’s quiet, it’s not normal

“It is more frightening if the neighborhood is quiet. It’s not normal.” This is the observation sent to Bantay OCW by our OFW couple working in Libya.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz announced that the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) temporarily banned deployment of Filipino workers to Libya, after the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) raised Crisis Alert Level 2  in Libya. The Department of Labor and Employment only allows o, Overseas Filipino workers with existing contracts (balik-manggagawa) to return to the country.

Alert Level 2 is Restriction Phase in the crisis alert level system and it is issued when there are real threats to the life, security and property of Filipino nationals from internal disturbance and external threats. Filipinos are required to restrict non-essential movements, avoid public places and prepare for evacuation, if necessary.

Labor Communications Director Nicon Fameronag, in an interview over Radyo Inquirer 990 AM, said the government is closely monitoring the situation in Libya, where political unrest is escalating anew.

Baldoz called on all OFWs in Libya to stay calm, exercise precaution, and remain vigilant.

The couple mentioned above had escaped  the conflict in Libya in 2011. They ran away with whatever they could stuff in one bag, following the mandatory repatriation of Filipinos at that time.

They were unemployed for more than two years when they returned in the Philippines. It was difficult for them to find a job, even a part time job during that time.

They were thankful they had been saving while they were overseas. They did not have to sell any of their things or borrow money. But their expenses such as house mortgage, kid’s tuition fees, food, and city services were piling up.

After two years, their former employer in Libya called them. They didn’t have any second thoughts about going back.  They immediately gathered their documents and returned to Libya. They saw it as their only chance to recover and start saving again.

When they arrived in Libya, they could still hear gunshots—frequent gunshots in fact.  According to them, every night is like celebrating New Year’s Eve because of the light flashes accompanied by bombing sounds.

There are times they do not sleep on their bed, for fear that they might be hit by stray bullets. They stay in their living room and crawl if they need to drink water or go to the bathroom.

But they say they have gotten used to this situation.  They get even more nervous when they don’t hear gunshots, because “it’s like its not normal.”  Again, they are preparing to evacuate Libya—if necessary.

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Susan Andes, also known as Susan K., can be heard over Radyo Inquirer DzIQ 990 AM, Monday to Friday, 10:30 am-12:00 noon.Audio/video live streaming is at www.ustream.tv/channel/dziq. Helpline: 0927-6499870 E-mail: bantayocw [email protected]/ [email protected]