By Fernan Angeles
FILIPINOS abroad are not inclined on flying back home to the Philippines empty-handed.
In a report to Malacañang at the regular Laging Handa briefing, the Philippine Embassy in Vienna, Austria, recorded around 50 undocumented Filipinos have flown from the Middle East to Croatia to find new jobs amid the global pandemic scare.
Ambassador Maria Cleofe Natividad of the Embassy of the Philippines in Vienna, Austria categorically hinted at some Filipinos in Croatia as without proper documentation regarding their employment, which makes them “more vulnerable.”
“Sila ang mga kababayang nating mas naapektuhan ng COVID pandemic at sila ngayon ang aming nire-repatriate at nakikipag-ugnayan kami dito sa DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment) para mabigyan sila ng karampatang tulong sa pagpapauwi kasi hindi naman sila puwedeng mamalagi dito sa Croatia kung hindi ayos ang mga papel,” Natividad said.
She said the figure could be higher adding that the number of undocumented Filipinos arriving in Croatia may further increase.
“‘Yung iba, nakipag-ugnayan na ako sa mga kababayan natin na hindi ayos ang mga papeles. Siguro nasa mga 50 sila. Pero ‘yung iba ay natatakot pa rin. Ayaw ipaalam sa amin kung ano ang tunay nilang kalagayan. Pero ito ay lumalaking challenge para sa embassy,” she added.
Natividad said some Filipinos from the Middle East are seeking opportunities in Europe and go to Croatia as an “entry point” to move to other countries, including Italy or Germany.
“Ang aking tala ay siguro nasa mga 50 ang ating mga kababayan ang hindi ayos ang papeles at ito ay lumalaki pa,” Natividad said.
Meanwhile, Natividad said almost all Filipinos are properly documented in Austria and continued to work despite the challenges in the country brought by the pandemic.
Natividad said undocumented Filipinos could avail of the repatriation program of the Philippine government.
According to Natividad, the Philippine Embassy in Austria has so far assisted about 100 Filipinos in terms of temporary shelter, arranging tickets and other forms of assistance.