BAHRAIN – Filipino migrant workers (OFWs) want the temporary travel ban to Bahrain imposed by the Philippine government lifted.

They said many vacationing OFWs Bahrain are stranded in the Philippines and cannot return to their jobs in Bahrain due to the ban.

The ban was imposed as a result of the security risks from the political unrest in Bahrain.

“Sabi ko, kami din sa embassy we cannot give such letter of exemption because the travel ban covers everyone,” said Ambassador Corazon Yap Bahjin.

The Philippine Embassy could not give the exact number of Pinoys stranded in the Philippines.

Bahjin stressed that the ban is temporary, and the government is just after the welfare and safety of Filipinos in Bahrain.

“This is a temporary ban. The government would lift this as soon as possible dahil they don't want to unnecessarily disenfranchise Filipinos from their jobs.  They just have to exercise patience. Sana yung mga kababyan natin ay maintindihan na gusto lang ng government natin na maging safe kayo. Konting araw na lang ay siguro ay matatapos din ito,” said Bahjin.  

However, those stranded in the Philippines are worried that there won’t be any jobs waiting for them when they get back to Bahrain.

“Walang kwenta yun. Dapat i-lift na yung ban dahil wala namang gulo dahil normal lang yung strike yung gingawa nila. Kaya hindi kailangan ng travel ban,” said Pete Tiamsong.

Tiamsong has been working in Bahrain for 5 years now. He has several friends who are still stranded in the Philippines.

“Nag-stay sa Pinas walang trabaho. Tapos na yung bakasyon nila ng one-and-half months kaso naka-pending sila doon ayaw sila palabasin. Baka malamang masisante kasi maghahanap ng bagong empleyado,” he said.  

John Michael Gabriel aired the same sentiments.

“Actually, dapat hindi muna inimplement. Kasi, yung mga magpupunta dito maapektuhan yung trabaho nila. Nakita naman natin yung nangyari dito, hindi naman ganoon kagrabe hindi kagaya noong sa Libya, so dapat hindi talaga inimplement yun. Sayang kasi ang mga trabaho,” he said.  

Meanwhile, sales executive Josie Sampang had suggested that those who have resident permits or re-entry visas to Bahrain should be allowed to return to the country.

“Dapat yung may mga re-entry visa ay pwedeng bumalik pero yung mga baguhan pwedeng ihinto muna kasi kawawa naman yung family nila, nagbakasyon lang tapos di na sila makabalik ditto. Mawawalan sila ng trabaho,” said Sampang.

Those who are supposed to take a vacation in the Philippines also vented their anger against the government’s travel ban.

“Pa-bakasyon ako. Dalawang taon din akong di umuwi. Di ko nakita ang pamilya ko parang pakiramdam ko ngayon pinagkakaitan ako ng gobyerno natin na sa tingin yun na lang kaligayahan ng OFW na makauwi,” said Architect Jeff Proromartir.

For her part, highway engineer Sheryl Ann Acebedo created a Facebook page that aims to immediately lift the travel ban to Bahrain.

Acebedo said she is personally affected by the ban. She said a family member who is suffering from terminal cancer is waiting for her to return to the Philippines.

“Naiinis at gusto ko talaga ma-lift yung travel ban dahil personally, affected ako. Dahil unang-una, naka-schedule po akong mag annual leave this Thursday. Kapag di ko po tinuloy, mafo-forfeit yung leave ko tapos ako po yung gumastos ng ticket ko kaya kung ipaparebook ko yun, gagastos na naman po ako. Tapos, ako po kasi ay ulila na tapos yung tumatayong tatay ko eh terminally ill na so hindi ko po alam if maabutan ko pa ba siya o hindi na. So, ang laking sacrifice sa akin if di itutuloy yung bakasyon ko,” she said.

Another OFW, Jennifer Carlos, advised President Benigno Aquino III to thoroughly study the travel ban that the government issues before they implement it.
 
“Sana po bago ninyo inissue ang travel ban nag-review muna ng maigi sa embahada ng Bahrain at sana pinakinggan ninyo muna yung side nila bago kayo nag issue ng travel ban kasi sa nangyayari po, ang laki ng issue nito sa nagtratrabaho dito kasi yung iba, no work no pay po,” she said. Report from Noril Pilapil, ABS-CBN Middle East News Bureau correspondent