The Department of Migrant Employees mandated private recruitment agencies (PRAs) and licensed manning agencies (LMAs) on Tuesday to keep an eye on and support overseas Filipino workers impacted by the recent flight delays brought on by technical problems with the air traffic control system.
“Thereby, all PRAs and LMAs are directed to monitor and aid impacted OFWs. To ensure that workers’ employment remains secure and undisturbed, all PRAs and LMAs are further instructed to support impacted OFWs in explaining the reason for such delays to principals and employers, according to an advice from DMW Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople.
She said, “Similarly, the PRAs and LMAs are directed to provide the necessary information on affected personnel as soon as practicable.
Ople stated that all additional help given to OFWs is likewise very appreciated.
On January 1st, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) reported a technical issue at the Philippine Air Traffic Management Center (ATMC) around 9:50 a.m. This resulted in at least 282 flights being canceled, diverted, or delayed. At the NAIA, some 56,000 passengers were impacted.
On Sunday, the DMW offered hotels and transportation for OFWs around the nation whose flights had been postponed or rescheduled.
According to Migrant Workers Undersecretary Hans Cacdac, the DMW and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration have been providing hotel accommodations to about 400 OFWs since Sunday. The migrant workers will have a place to stay until the day of their new flight times.
In an interview with CNN Philippines’ “The Source” on Tuesday, Cacdac said: “By my estimation, we still have half of the 400 still in the hotels waiting for their rebooked flights. I know some or many of them have rebooked flight dates on the 4th, the 5th, and the 6th.
“He also said that DMW officials are still helping OFWs who have concerns about Sunday’s airport glitch.
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