Metro Manila, Philippines – An employee from the Migrant Workers Office in Bahrain caught on video turning away overseas Filipino workers requesting assistance amid the Middle East conflict has been recalled, a Cabinet official said.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac addressed the viral video on Monday, March 9, which showed a seemingly rude embassy staff telling workers to complain to whoever they want as funds for aid have supposedly ran out.
“I have issued the order recalling that MWO Bahrain employee being highly disrespectful to OFWs in a viral video,” Cacdac said on X (formerly Twitter).
“I assure our dear OFWs that we shall continue to serve with humility, respect, and hard work,” he said.
Cacdac said they are assessing if they need to mount an investigation on the supervisor as well, according to a video released by Sen. Raffy Tulfo’s office, who had a conversation with the secretary on the matter.
Tulfo, a former broadcaster turned politician, is the Senate committee on migrant workers chairperson.
Meanwhile, Cacdac clarified that the $200 aid he previously mentioned was for OFWs availing of repatriation. He said the aid package, which would be given to those coming back to the Philippines, is under study for its sustainability.
Some OFWs requesting assistance said they have received only 20 Bahraini dinar or around ₱3,000.
Cacdac said this was just “pantawid” [to tide over] for affected OFWs, especially those who are under “no work, no pay” conditions, to cover basic needs for four to five days.
“May meeting ako sa Filipino community, pag-aaralan na taasan ang binigay na ₱3,000,” he told the senator.
[Translation: I have a meeting with the Filipino community on that matter as we are considering raising the ₱3,000 aid.]
Cacdac said funds are enough for the aid program.
As of March 4, nearly 300 OFWs in Bahrain are requesting repatriation. Efforts to bring them home face challenges because of airspace closures.
