OFFICIALS OF THE PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN TEL-AVIV INSPECT

STATUS OF OFWs IN SOUTHERN ISRAEL

19 February 2008 – Consul General Gilberto Asuque and Labor Attaché Merriam Cuasay of the Philippine Embassy in Tel-Aviv met with OFWs in Kibbutz Nir Yishaq in southern Israel, near the Gaza border, on 31 January 2008 to inspect their living and working conditions in the light of the recent kassam rocket attacks by militants.

The Embassy officials discussed assistance-to-national matters with Ms. Leticia Evangelista of Pagasa Rizal, Nueva Ecija; Ms. Sinamar Jimenez of San Juan, Ilocos Sur; Ms. Rosalinda Remiter of Lagonoy, Camarines Sur; Ms. Berta Cayong of Poblacion Norte, Maddela, Quirino; Ms. Norma Elesterio of Purok Mahayag, San Miguel, Surigao Sur; and Mr. Vigare Manuel of San Vicente, Sta. Ignacia, Tarlac.  They all have been working in Kibbutz Nir Yishaq for longer than 4 years.

The Embassy officials discussed with the OFWs their employment condition, security measures and other forms of assistance by the Embassy and POLO especially in case of emergencies They verified the warning system for the residences of the OFWs and their preparedness to comply with security procedures. Overall, the OFWs said they are satisfied with their employment condition, security measures, health insurance and other employment services.

Kibbutz Nir Yishaq is a self-contained agro-industrial community where the kibbutz owners work and live.   It has all the amenities of a rural community including a grocery store, market place, entertainment hall, cafeteria and swimming pool. A five-to-seven kilometer wide open field separates the kibbutz from the Gaza border, which serves as a security buffer.

The Embassy officials provided the OFWs contact numbers to call in cases of emergency.  END

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