By Joey Aguilar/Staff Reporter


In every adversity, there is an opportunity. It may be true for distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in many countries.
While the alleged “sex-for-fly” scheme has led to the recall of some diplomats in the Middle East, the expose may pave the way for quicker repatriation of such workers, sources said.
Philippine embassy labour attaché Leopoldo De Jesus told Gulf Times yesterday that his office was asking recruitment agencies to provide plane tickets for 32 distressed OFWs staying at the Philippine Overseas Labour Office (POLO) in Doha.
If the recruitment agencies have ceased to operate, he said the embassy will seek the help of government agencies concerned back home like the Overseas Workers Welfare Office to fund the purchase of plane tickets.
From more than 147 in December last year, the number of distressed OFWs fell to 132 in January, 92 in February, and 60 and 50 in March and April respectively.
“The numbers are decreasing almost everyday and we are would be happy if they will all be able to go back home to be with their families again,” De Jesus said.
De Jesus said recruitment agencies should provide plane tickets for Household Service Workers (HSWs) who leave their employers within one month, whatever the reason. Otherwise, they have to stay at POLO-OWWA building and wait for donors.
The labour attaché has expressed confidence that recruitment agencies and the Philippine government will respond to the request citing the need to protect OFWs from abusive public officials.
He also said that many Filipino organisations in Qatar hold various projects to raise funds and buy plane tickets.
Meanwhile, ambassador Crescente Relacion is expected to arrive in Doha today after attending an emergency meeting in Manila yesterday concerning the “sex-for-fly” issue.
Ambassadors from Bahrain, Egypt, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, and Kuwait also met with the foreign affairs secretary on the same day to help in the investigation.
Earlier reports alleged that some diplomats offered plane tickets to distressed OFWs in exchange for sexual favours.
Following the reports, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario recalled charge d’affaires Nestor Padalhan in Syria, ambassador Olivia Palala in Jordan and charge d’affaires Raul Dado in Kuwait. Other officials were also implicated in the issue.
In a press statement, the Philippine government said it will help the victims. The Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) are conducting separate probes into the allegations.
Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte disclosed that the DFA has already contacted OFWs who are willing to come forward and join the investigation.