On the Rescue 22 Filipino Drivers in Denmark

30 October 2018 — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) today expressed its appreciation to authorities in Denmark for rescuing 22 Filipino truck drivers who were reported to have been living and working in deplorable conditions in the southern part of the country.

In its report to Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr., the Philippine Embassy in Norway reported the rescue of the Filipinos by Danish police who raided their camp in Padborg early Tuesday morning.

The Embassy, which has jurisdiction over Denmark, has been working closely with Danish authorities in the past weeks to assist Filipino truck drivers who have been working in substandard conditions there.

Upon the request of Ambassador Jocelyn Batoon-Garcia, Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III instructed Geneva-based Labor Attaché Delmer Cruz to proceed immediately to Copenhagen to look into the situation of the drivers.

The Embassy has been coordinating with the United Federation of Danish Workers, Danish authorities, and other contacts as soon as the Embassy was informed of the drivers’ situation.

Ambassador Batoon-Garcia flew to Denmark with a team to determine the status of the drivers whose living conditions the Embassy said are unacceptable by any standard. Ambassador Batoon-Garcia said the Embassy will make sure the Filipinos are treated humanely and with dignity.

She said the Embassy, the DFA and the Department of Labor and Employment will assist the Filipinos until an appropriate and amicable solution is reached. END