DFA, Embassy Continue to Help Filipinos Illegally Recruited in Russia
Ms. Cherry Narvaez of the Embassy’s Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) Section (right) assists a Filipino family (father holding baby) at the check-in counter in a Moscow airport on Friday, 8 December 2017. Photo: Philippine Embassy in Moscow
12 December 2017 MOSCOW – Fifty-five (55) distressed Filipinos have received direct assistance from the Philippine Embassy in Moscow in returning to the Philippines from January to November 2017. The help extended by the Embassy ranged from assistance and interpretation at police stations and court hearings, securing deportation orders and exit visas, and purchase of air tickets to the Philippines – in many cases, all of the above. The Embassy expects more Filipinos will seek repatriation assistance in December.
According to the Philippine Embassy, there is no legal basis for the entry and stay of Filipino household service workers (nannies, maids, etc.) in Russia even though there is a small demand for their work among some Russian families. Filipinos enter Russia using visas that misrepresent their actual work and they become vulnerable to arrest, detention and deportation.
“Majority of Filipinos in Russia have improper documents, including Commercial (business) and Tourist visas. They have been recruited by unauthorized agents, including fellow Filipinos, that charge them thousands of dollars for visas that do not allow them to work,” said Amb. Carlos D. Sorreta.
He added, “While we work with Russian and Philippine authorities – including our Embassies and Consulates in source countries – in stopping the flow of undocumented workers, we also assist our citizens who have no recourse but to go home.”
“We provide assistance to our citizens in the form of voluntary repatriation so that they will not be subjected to detention and arrest and to ensure that their rights are protected. The process is strictly in accordance with the host government’s regulations,” said Mr. Christian Baggas, the Embassy’s ATN Officer.
One of the recent cases the Embassy handled involved a family with an infant child. The mother, who herself was recruited illegally, recruited the father with the help of illegal visa agents. They later had a child in Russia and both parents did not have valid visas or work permits. Due to the lack of documents, they were unable to find any employment and ran out of funds. The family has returned safely to the Philippines with the support of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
“Nagpapasalamat kami sa Embassy at sa DFA sa napakalaking tulong na nagawa saaming pamilya kahit na kami po ay nagkamali,” the mother said before their flight to the Philippines. END
For more information, visit www.moscowpe.dfa.gov.ph.
Mr. Christian Baggas, ATN Officer, discusses the procedure for voluntary repatriation with a Filipino family at the Embassy. Photo: Philippine Embassy in Moscow.