Pampanga: The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has confirmed that eight overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are safe after a fire razed a plastic manufacturing company in Namyangju/Paju, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea last Friday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the affected OFWs were employed in South Korea under the Employment Permit System, a South Korean government program that enables small and medium-sized enterprises to legally hire foreign workers, including Filipinos, primarily in the manufacturing, agriculture, and fisheries sectors. "While the workers were unharmed, their employment was temporarily disrupted as company operations were suspended," Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said.

On Sunday, the affected OFWs met with officials of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, led by Ambassador Bernadette Therese Fernandez, together with Labor Attach© Rosemarie Duquez and Welfare Officer Cornelia Chanco. The OFWs were provided with relief aid and financial assistance, while the Philippine Embassy facilitated the passport application of those whose passports were lost or destroyed in the fire.

Meanwhile, Cacdac thanked the South Korean government for its quick emergency response. He also noted that the DMW will continue to monitor developments and provide support to the affected workers.

Source: Philippines News Agency