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A total of 1,075 undocumented Filipinos have legalised their stay in Bahrain by opting for flexi work permits.
They have been assisted in this by the Philippines government’s financial assistance programme under which the fees for the permit were paid by the embassy.
A flexi work permit allows holders to take up freelance employment with multiple employers.
“The total number of those funded by the financial assistance scheme from the Department of Foreign Affairs reached 1,075 people,” revealed Philippines Ambassador Alphonso Ver during a virtual Press conference yesterday from Wyndham Grand, Manama.
“The funding for the scheme was increased during the Covid-19 pandemic as we expanded our budget to cover as many workers as we could.”
He added that the sponsorless scheme proved a big hit with his nationals as they applied in large numbers over the past two years.
Opportunities
“Filipinos are very resilient and can adapt to any job, and once the economy opens up fully they will take advantage of the opportunities,” said the diplomat.
The permit was launched by the Labour Market Regulatory Authority in July 2017, with the Philippines government announcing its financial assistance programme in October 2018.
Also co-chairing the Press conference was Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila Under-Secretary for Migrants Workers Affairs Sarah Lou Arriola who praised the government scheme describing it as a “cutting-edge programme” that addresses the traditional sponsorship system Gulf countries have had for years.
“We not only covered 1,075 of our nationals in Bahrain, but we also paid two months’ fees for the flexi permit,” she added.
Meanwhile, Mr Ver said the embassy continued to assist Filipinos in Bahrain who want to avail the general amnesty that ends today.
“We are hoping that many take advantage of the easy exit scheme.
“We do not have final numbers yet, but with the frenzy of passport applications and the number of people who want to extend their passports to take advantage of the amnesty, you’re looking at a good figure.”
The LMRA announced a nine-month amnesty in April aimed at an estimated 55,000 expatriate workforce.
The pardon, which ends today, was launched as part of Covid-19 measures, in anticipation of job losses among foreign workers.
Those wishing to avail of the immunity and leave Bahrain can do so without having to pay any penalties or fines.
On the issue of Covid-19 relief measures taken by the Bahrain government, the diplomat praised Bahrain for providing free testing, treatment and now vaccination to everyone in the country.
“Everyone has benefitted from the package of relief or benefits provided by the Bahrain government during the pandemic.
“The community feels safe in Bahrain, which was never under a lockdown during the pandemic and now there are daily flights to Manila,” said Mr Ver.
He said he was waiting to receive the free Covid-19 jab, adding that in his community about 500 Covid-19 cases were detected with 12 fatalities.
“Many people we meet have already been vaccinated and we weren’t really telling them that perhaps this region will be the first region or sub-region that will have herd immunity and will really open up,” stated Ms Arriola.
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