By Marie Fairbank
Why Filipinos love to live and work in Libya
I been following about Libya situation for almost 10 years now I find the country and people fascinating. Lots have been said about the country by our company directors who have visited Libya twice since 2012.The only way for me to know the situation on the ground is visit the country which I did recently together with British Trade Delegation – February 2016.
When I received invitation to joined and to organised travel arrangements for British Trade Delegation I immediately accepted the challenged. I arrived midnight in Tripoli with very welcoming airport officials staffs and few friends . Whilst the other members of the delegation were ushered to government meetings I opted and was happy to meet Libyan Business People and the Filipinos working in Libya.
I am sharing my travel experienced whilst in Tripoli in appreciation to all the Libyans and the Filipinos whose hospitality is beyond compare. Libyans for me are highly educated people, fun loving, and mostly business people. Most of the Libyans I met on the streets were very respectful and friendly. Libyans in their present state are trying their best to live a normal life. I see Libyans like Filipinos in many ways .Just like Filipinos they are not much concerned about political situation but more on their daily survival.
I met few Filipinos on a pre-arranged meeting before I arrived in Tripoli who with my new found Libyan business friends were happy to bring me around Tripoli in between business meetings. My Filipino friends are based in Tripoli Misurata, Zliten, Brega, and Al Khoms.Libyans and Filipinos let me feel the warm welcoming attitude and friendly smiles and secured whilst walking the streets in Tripoli both day time and night time. We walked around without me covering my face or any security people around us. To my amusement inside the restaurant where we have our late dinner I have not seen any divisions between men and woman.
I was told that their used to have huge numbers of Filipinos in Libya before February 2011 revolution Unfortunately I cannot understand why until now Philippine Embassy-Libya wants Filipino Overseas Filipino Workers to go back to Philippines when it is time to support Libyans in their times of needs. Fact of the matter other nationalities are now going back to Libya. Some of the embassies are now opening their offices again.
Based on statistics as far as I was told since 2011 one Filipino killed not due to conflict but stray bullet not that they were targeted directly as the incident was tribal in nature. One incident which happened in a deserted area hundred miles from Benghazi, sadly one Filipino was beheaded not as a result of war but more a religious conflict Filipinos who were kidnaped few years ago were eventually released due to the intervention of GNC officials as I was told. Thousands of Filipinos did not adhere the calling to go home until now and have no intention to go back to Philippines except visiting families. The Libyans I was told are immensely grateful respect and protect foreign workers that stayed behind. The Filipinos who are still in Libya fell they have obligations to return back to host country in terms of services and loyalty as the host country have been their home for number of years . Filipinos in Libya fell they are financially better off much safer in Libya. Though sometimes their wages are paid late but they know eventually they will be paid so for them it is not an issue or reason to go home.
Whilst I was waiting for my flight back to London at Metiga airport a Filipino working in Sirte Brega oil field asked me to seek Philippine Embassy-Tripoli and Department of Foreign Affairs –Philippinesto make a ground assessment based on actual visit to the area and to abolish Level 4 travel ban because it is not necessary as they are very safe in Brega .I was told Brega office in London never stop sending British to work in the oil field with them. Filipinos in Libya for them their lives their future and their destiny are their own. The political and security situation though not stable and yet in the eyes of ordinary Libyans and the Filipinos reflects hope that Libyan can rise again. They do not think Libya will be bankrupt as the wealth of Libya is not only oil but numerous minerals under their feet.
To the GNC government Thank you for inviting us and keeping safe the Filipinos and other foreign workers in Libya.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect those of the Libya Observer
