DOLE chief: COVID-19 by now affected jobs of over 400,000 OFWs
MANILA, Philippines — The COVID-19 pandemic has already affected the employment of more than 400,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) worldwide, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvester Bello said Wednesday.
“Nadagdagan ‘yun ng I think another 80,000. So mga 400,000 plus na,” he explained in a press briefing. He was asked about the impacts of COVID-19 on OFWs, specifically on their jobs since the virus has troubled many industries across the globe.
Bello said he had not heard from anyone among the additional 80,000 OFWs that they are unwilling to be repatriated in this time of a pandemic.
“My assumption is if they are stranded or affected by COVID-19, they would want to come home,” he also said.
The DOLE chief earlier bared that of the initial 340,000 OFWs whose jobs have been held back by the pandemic, around 191,000 have opted not to return to the Philippines with the hope that they can still find work abroad.
KGA
For more news about the novel coronavirus click here.
What you need to know about Coronavirus.
For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH Hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.
The Inquirer Foundation supports our healthcare frontliners and is still accepting cash donations to be deposited at Banco de Oro (BDO) current account #007960018860 or donate through PayMaya using this link.
