DAVAO CITY — The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines-Nagkaisa (TUCP-Nagkaisa) is urging the Philippine government to prepare for contingency plans for Filipino migrant workers in Greece who will be affected by the week-long bank holiday to avoid running out of cash after the country voted to rejected the other day the terms of the International Monetary Fund bailout.
TUCP-Nagkaisa spokesperson Alan Tanjusay said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) should prepare contingency plan to alleviate the impact of the Greek financial crisis on Filipinos working there.
“Greece has entered an economic twilight zone no country has ever experienced before. Their government is on the brink of bankruptcy and unless they ultimately agree to new IMF terms this week their credit lines and access to the European banking system will be severely limited,” said Louie Corral, TUCP executive director.
Corral said there is now “a major decline in the service and tourism industry—hotels, restaurants, cruise ships—where majority of Filipino OFWs are employed.”
“Wages and benefits of migrant Filipino workers will be affected because banks only allows 60 Euros for Greek nationals to withdraw to prevent a bank run,” said Corral.
“Cash will be tight for Greeks and many do not even know where their next paycheck will come from. What more for our OFWs?” Corral added. (davaotoday.com)
