OFWs vaccinated abroad skip repatriation

Around 50,000 to 60,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have received COVID-19 vaccines in their host countries and do not plan to return to the Philippines.

As of January 27, a total of 352,999 OFWs have been repatriated from at least 90 countries and 150 cruise ships due to the pandemic.

The Department of Foreign Affairs reported that 13,897 Filipinos abroad have contracted COVID-19, with 945 deaths and 4,088 still undergoing treatment.

Some OFWs are choosing not to return home because they have unemployment insurance benefits or have been vaccinated in their host countries.