OFWs in HK Call on Pope to ‘Stand With Us’

MANILA – Even while abroad, Filipino migrant workers join compatriots in welcoming Pope Francis in the Philippines.

“We are overjoyed with the Pope’s presence among our compatriots and fervently wish for his support to our people who are impoverished and disempowered by the economic, social and political problems in our country,” said Dolores Balladares, chairperson of the United Filipinos in Hong Kong (UNIFIL).

The group hopes that Pope Francis will see the real condition of Pinoy migrants and the Filipino people. Balladares said the labor export program of the Philippines treats people as commodities and that private recruiters continue to exploit workers.

“He will see our children who grow up without the presence of a mother or a father. He will see our families still trying to make ends meet as the wage we receive abroad pale in comparison to the skyrocketing prices of commodities, the debts we have to pay, and the lack of free or affordable social services such as education and health.

On Friday, Pope Francis highlighted the contributions of the millions of overseas Filipino workers to the Philippines.

“I would also mention the oft-neglected, yet real contributions of Filipinos of the diaspora to the life and welfare of the society in which they live,” Pope Francis said in a speech in Malacanang on the second day of his visit to the country.

Pope Francis will be meeting Filipino families, including the families of migrant workers, in a gathering at the Mall of Asia Arena on Friday afternoon.

“As overseas Filipino workers, we are very appreciative of Pope Francis’ effort to meet Filipino migrant workers and families as part of his visit,” Balladares said.

Pope Francis also stressed the important role that families play in instilling sound values, high ideals and a genuine concern for others.

“But, like all God’s gifts, the family can also be disfigured and destroyed. It needs our support,” the pope said.

Meanwhile, the group is also happy that Pope Francis will be able to meet with super typhoon Yolanda survivors in Tacloban.

“Our people who already suffered from the said typhoon – like the hundreds of thousands more in other provinces and regions who suffered from similar calamities – have been victims over and over again by neglect and corruption,” Balladare said.

They also called on the pope to “stand with us, and fight for the poor and the oppressed”.

(Source: ABS-CBNnews.com)

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