57% of OFWs needing repatriation brought home

As of October 1, 57% of the estimated 400,000 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) needing repatriation due to the COVID-19 pandemic have been brought home, with approximately 229,000 repatriated.

The daily repatriation numbers range from 1,000 to 3,000.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reported that a total of 478,838 OFWs have been affected by the pandemic, including 469,959 displaced workers and 8,880 infected with COVID-19.

Of the displaced OFWs, 230,424 have been repatriated, 13,335 are still awaiting repatriation, and 104,813 refused to go home, opting to stay abroad.

Additionally, 70,647 migrant workers remain stranded in various countries.

As of September 30, 8,880 OFWs contracted the coronavirus, with 4,536 recoveries and 848 deaths.

Labor Assistant Secretary Dominique Tutay noted that 40% of repatriated OFWs have dependents enrolled in college, but only one dependent per household will be eligible for scholarship assistance.