PH Ambassador Discusses Filipino Migrant Issues on Voluntary Repatriation with Lebanese Minister of Labor

Ambassador Raymond Balatbat (fourth from left) during the meeting with Minister Moustafa Bayram (third from left) to discuss practical solutions to the issues of Filipino migrant workers who are not allowed to avail of the voluntary repatriation, joined by Vice Consul Glaiza Quarteros (second from left), Labor Attache Alejandro Padaen (second from right), and Translator Rita Korkomaz (rightmost)

BEIRUT 17 November 2023 — Philippine Ambassador Raymond R. Balatbat met with Lebanese Minister of Labor Moustafa Bayram on 8 November 2023 to discuss the Philippine Embassy’s voluntary mass repatriation of Filipino nationals in light of the tensions in the southern border of Lebanon.

Ambassador Balatbat informed Minister Bayram that 59 out of the 286 Filipino nationals who signed up to avail of the Embassy’s voluntary mass repatriation were not allowed to return to the Philippines due to their current contractual obligations. In response to the Embassy’s request for the Minister’s assistance and the Ministry of Labor’s (MOL) possible intervention in such cases, both parties came up with practical solutions and steps that are beneficial to both the Filipino migrant workers and their employers. Said measures will be immediately implemented by the Embassy’s Migrant Workers Office (MWO) to provide the much needed assistance to distressed Filipino nationals who wish to return to the Philippines.

Minister Bayram emphasized that the Ministry of Labor prioritizes the welfare and safety of Filipino migrant workers in Lebanon.

The Philippine Embassy, along with MWO and OWWA, will continue to engage relevant Lebanese institutions to promote the protection and welfare of Filipino nationals in Lebanon, particularly during times of heightened tensions and uncertainty in the country. END

For more information, visit https://www.beirutpe.dfa.gov.ph,  https://www.facebook.com/PHinLebanon/.