IN a bid to prevent a repeat of the arrest of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Qatar, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) yesterday said it will enhance its pre-departure orientation seminars (PDOS) for departing workers.
In a televised public briefing, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said they will reinforce their briefing of OFWs on what is prohibited and what is allowed in their respective host countries.
“We shall reinforce our PDOS as well as our messaging in the media and our social media pages so that we can better disseminate the information,” said Cacdac.
“I am confident that our OFWs will follow the rules and become good residents of their host countries,” he added.
Cacdac issued the statement after the Qatar government dismissed charges of illegal assembly against 17 OFWs who were arrested and detained last March 28.
This was relayed to the Philippine government by Ahmed Saad Nasser Abdullah Al Homidi, Ambassador of Qatar to the Philippines, during his visit to Malacañang last Monday.
According to Cacdac, they are hopeful that the OFWs’ arrest in Qatar and eventual release will serve as a lesson to all OFWs.
In particular, he said OFWs must take note of the rules on mass action or public assembly.
“Their lives will hopefully be back to normal, they can move on, and learn from this incident,” said the DMW head.
“We are all aware that our OFWs must always follow the regulations of their host country, especially on the aspect of mass actions,” added Cacdac.
