100 overseas Filipino workers pardoned from Jordan

Dozens of Filipinos repatriated by the Jordan government have started to arrive in the Philippines after the Hashemite Kingdom approved a general pardon for foreign workers. According to Labour and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz, 100 overseas Filipino workers, majority of whom are household service staff sheltered at the Filipino Workers Resource Center (FWRC) at the Philippine Overseas Labour Office in Amman, Jordan, have started to arrive in the Philippines this July after having been given pardon. General Pardon Law of 2011 Earlier, Jordan approved its General Pardon Law of 2011, clearing all criminal and misdemeanour offenses, violations and acts that took place before June 1, 2011 and exempting offenders from the payment of fees and fines for specific cases. Article continues below "I am happy about this development. Filipinos who were detained for violation of Jordan's immigration laws and those serving sentences for minor offenses, including all wards at the FWRC who have incurred ‘overstay' penalties prior to June 1, 2011 will benefit from the law," Baldoz said. The Philippine official said she has approved the release of $5,000 (Dhs 18,350) to cover the immigration penalties of the 100 OFWs. "Given the inability of these workers to pay for the penalties, I have approved the release of financial assistance for the workers amounting to US$5,000 ) which amount shall cover the penalties of these 100 OFWs," Baldoz added. Nearly 60 of the 100 have already arrived in Manila on various dates as of Sunday. Philippine Overseas Labour Office in Jordan Labour Attaché Virginia Calve had earlier requested the Philippine Embassy to provide for the tickets for the 100 wards sheltered at the FRWC as of June 12, 2011, four of whom are minor female workers. Officials clarified however, that the workers will be charged "overstay" penalties starting from June 2, 2011 up to the date of their actual departure from Jordan. Baldoz has directed the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the National Reintegration Centre for OFWs to ready the government's package of welfare and livelihood assistance for the arriving OFWs. "With the welfare and protection of overseas workers a priority of the current Administration, rest assured that reintegration efforts will expand and intensify to ensure socio-economic stability of our returning OFWs," Baldoz said.