FOR the Foreign Affairs Department hierarchy, Ambassador Al Francis Bichara’s complaint about running out of money needed to evacuate workers in Lebanon was an unforgivable embarrassment.
But his complaint, first on television, and then, via phone patch, presented before the Senate, while infuriating to his bosses, got the administration firing on all cylinders.
Whereas before the workers in Lebanon were told to "pack up and go’’ and to hitch a ride with anyone willing to have them, President Arroyo now offers to repatriate at government expense all 34,000 Filipinos stuck there.
And best of all, the tight-fisted Overseas Workers Welfare Administration finally decided to send the money.
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On television the other day, Labor Secretary Arturo Brion enumerated the various jobs waiting for the returning workers.
His listeners were skeptical. If so many jobs were available, how come so many millions who have long looked for work remain jobless?
The other thing was, how much do these jobs pay? Our minimum wage is far below what they were used to getting in Lebanon. Hence, in spite of the offer of a free ride home, the majority of our workers will stay on in Lebanon and take their chances with the Israeli air raids.
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The President may be more realistic. She knows that the displaced workers will not like local jobs, granting such are available.
She wants the repatriated women workers to undergo "intensive training’’ to make them "super maids.’’ The training will be given gratis.
Is this a good idea? One waits for the returnees’ reactions.
Indications over the years are that wherever the Filipina domestic goes, she is considered a super maid, preferred over maids from other countries.
In Lebanon, many families fought to have them stay. In Hong Kong and Taiwan, most of them are considered members of the family. All Hong Kong mourned for the Filipina maid who died to save the life of the boy in her care.
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