President Duterte directed the DFA in 2018 to distribute the Flexi cards to address. #flexicards

OFW in Bahrain show the Flexi card given them by the DFA. (PCOO)

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) recently provided Flexi cards or alternative working visa permits to 17 undocumented Filipinos in the Kingdom of Bahrain bringing to 942 the total number of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) whose immigration status abroad have been normalized through the scheme.

DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Sarah Lou Arriola led the latest distribution of Flexi cards which were paid by the Philippine government at the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) in Bahrain on 26 December 2019.

The Philippines is the only country that pays for flexible work permits also known as “blue cards” and provides the same to undocumented Filipino migrants based in Bahrain. Application for such card costs around P70,000 for the one-time administrative fee and two months fee after the card expires in two years.

Apart from this scheme, the Philippine government also covers the airfare of undocumented or distressed OFW who chose to go back to the Philippines.

President Rodrigo Duterte directed the DFA in 2018 to distribute Flexi cards to address the said issue.

Before distributing the blue cards, Arriola presented a special Christmas video message from Duterte and Senator Christopher “Bong” Go.

Arriola then proceeded to Bahrain’s LMRA facility and met with LMRA Chief Executive Officer Ausamah Al Absi. They discussed issues relating to human rights cases in Bahrain at the same time checked the facility managed by the Bahraini government for all migrants in distress and awaiting repatriation.

After checking the facility, Undersecretary Arriola acknowledged the Bahraini government on their keenness in protecting expatriate workers’ rights and for its efforts in enhancing their working environment over the past few years.

Arriola then paid a courtesy call on Shaikha Rana bint Isa Al Khalifa, an undersecretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the meeting, they discussed matters relating to some human rights’ cases among Filipino migrant workers based in the Kingdom.

Among the issues raised by Arriola were the cases of undocumented and irregular Filipino citizens in Bahrain. Immediately, Her Excellency Al Khalifa expressed her intent to assist and collaborate with the Philippine government in finding ways to fast-track the solution of the cases.

Meanwhile, Arriola also acknowledged the Bahrain government for its efforts in ensuring the welfare of Filipino migrants including those in distress.

Further, both officials agreed that the long-standing cooperation between the Philippines and Bahrain have enhanced the mechanisms of assistance in both ends.