An employee of the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Bahrain has been recalled after a video circulating online allegedly showed him behaving disrespectfully towards overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and refusing their request for financial assistance.
The recall was ordered by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Monday.
According to online reports, the video shows the employee appearing to drive away OFWs who had approached the office to seek assistance. The employee allegedly told them that the agency had ‘no funds’ and that they could report the incident to anyone they wished.
“I have issued the order recalling that MWO Bahrain employee for being highly disrespectful to OFWs in a viral video,” DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said in a social media post.
“I assure our dear OFWs that we shall continue to serve with humility, respect and hard work,” he added.
The OFWs had gone to the Philippine Embassy in Bahrain after learning that the DMW was distributing financial aid.
The GDN previously reported that the Philippine Embassy last week announced the suspension of a one-time financial assistance programme for its nationals in Bahrain affected by the ongoing US-Iran-Israel conflict. The embassy said the decision was taken as a precautionary measure to prevent overcrowding, adding that walk-in applicants without confirmed appointments would not be accommodated.
The assistance was intended for those directly affected by Iran’s attacks on the kingdom, including individuals with valid work visas, those facing flight delays or cancellations due to airspace restrictions, and those experiencing business disruptions or unemployment as a result of the strikes.
Earlier, the GDN also reported that officials from the Philippine Embassy visited eight shelters and distributed more than 900 relief packages to supplement food and basic necessities already provided by the government.
Online reports also indicate that more than 1,400 Filipinos in the region, including 231 in Bahrain, have requested repatriation following the attacks.
The GDN contacted the Philippine Embassy for comment but has not yet received a response.
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