Why is the US panicky on Phil gov't call to repatriate OFWs from Iraq?

"Why is the United States government quite alarmed at the Philippine government's call to overseas Filipino workers in Iraq to consider repatriation?"

This question was answered by the MIGRANTE Sectoral Party.

"The US enjoys the use of migrant workers since they will work for much lower wages than American workers in war-torn countries such as Iraq. Filipinos have taken on the work of warehousemen, laundry women, cooks, accountants, and other low-end jobs in Iraq since there are scant opportunities offered by the current government in the Philippines," Migrante Sectoral Party Chairperson Connie Bragas-Regalado said.

Majority of the 6,500 OFWs in Iraq work in US military camps, installations, and for US- owned or sponsored companies such as Kellog, Brown and Root and Saudi Arabian Trading and Construction Corporation.

"Sadly, the Philippine government continues to support the US government forces in Iraq with the OFWs deployed and conscripted to do auxilliary, ancilliary and related work that helps in the US war effort. That is why the US is 'gravely concerned' because it will lose a large work force that it pays for very little and is willing to sacrifice as collateral damage in its war of terror in Iraq," Bragas-Regalado said.

"The Philippine government will never admit it, but with the increasing violence due to the US invasion and occupation of Iraq, our compatriots will always possibly get caught in crossfire," Bragas-Regalado added.

Migrante reiterated that "it is the responsibility of the Philippine government to atone for its continued support to the US government's evil designs on Iraq. Each and every abduction, injury, and death of Filipinos in Iraq is primarily the fault of the Macapagal-Arroyo administration."

For if this government is really concerned with the lives and livelihood of Filipinos, Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo would not permit anyone to leave their families and go to war-torn nations like Iraq and provide better job opportunities in the homeland," Bragas-Regalado ended. #