Quezon City: The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is providing direct assistance to three overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Northern Ireland who were temporarily displaced following recent riots in their community.
According to Philippines News Agency, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac revealed during an ambush interview at the DMW Mega Job Fair in Quezon City that although the OFWs in Northern Ireland were not physically harmed, they were compelled to vacate their homes due to localized riots in their area.
Cacdac stated that the three OFWs have temporarily left their residences and are receiving financial assistance. The DMW is arranging the transmission of funds and has deployed a labor attach© to Northern Ireland to assess the situation firsthand. The three workers, employed in skilled factory roles, include two mechanics and a driveline operator.
The riots in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, which have lasted for three nights, resulted in attacks on homes, businesses, and vehicles. Police have described these events as racially-motivated "hate crimes and mob rule." The unrest began following accusations against two teenage boys of a serious sexual assault on a teenage girl in a community with a significant migrant population. Cacdac noted that the situation has currently calmed as law enforcement takes control.
Simultaneously, the DMW is in communication with the families of the OFWs to ensure their well-being.
In another development, Cacdac reported that the DMW is monitoring the situation in Los Angeles, California, amid ongoing protest movements across the United States. The DMW is actively coordinating with local OFW communities to ensure their safety amid labor disputes and anti-immigration policies. Cacdac emphasized that OFWs are law-abiding and have not been adversely affected in LA or the Western United States.
The DMW, in collaboration with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), continues to maintain a 24/7 watch over affected areas abroad to ensure the safety and security of OFWs.
