What’s in store for
you in Libya
- Carmela Bignotia, May 12,
2007
Libya, a country in North Africa is another destination for overseas
Filipino workers (OFWs). Statistics from the Philippine Embassy in Libya
showed that there is an estimate of 7,913 Filipinos working there in 2006.
Filipino workers are mostly in the construction and oil industry and
medical field. Some are employed as hospitality workers in hotels.
Fast Facts:
Official Title: Great Socialist Libyan Arab
Jamahiriya
Capital:
Tripoli
Population: 5,900,754 note: includes 166,510
non-nationals (July 2006 est.)
Climate:
Mediterranean along coast; dry, extreme desert interior
Religions: Sunni Muslim 97%
Languages: Arabic, Italian, English, all are
widely understood in the major cities
Currency: Libyan dinar (LYD), Libyan dinars per
US dollar - 1.3084 (2005)
Government: Jamahiriya (a state of the masses)
in theory, governed by the populace through local councils; in fact, a
military dictatorship
Chief of State: Col. Muammar Abu Minyar al-QADHAFI
(since
1
September 1969)
Philippine Ambassador to Libya:
Bayani Mangibin
Delay in salary and poor accommodations are some of the common problems
encountered by OFWS in Libya especially the medical workers. To address
the problem, the Embassy patiently lobbied the issue and the efforts
resulted to improved labor law in Libya.
Many oil and construction companies in Libya are located in Tripoli,
Benghazi, and Brega. The following are some of the companies that employ
Filipino workers:
|
Companies |
Number of Filipino Workers |
|
Value Added Oilfield Services (VAOS) |
402 |
|
Dong Ah Consortium |
384 |
|
Hyundai Engineering and Construction |
374 |
|
Sirte Oil Company (MedOil) |
290 |
|
Daewoo E&C Co., Ltd, Benghazi |
169 |
|
Interbeton BV, Libya Branch |
116 |
|
Gemmo Impianti SPA, Libyan Branch |
101 |
|
MAN Ferrostaal Oil & Gas Ltd |
100 |
|
Zuetina Oil Company (MedOil) |
69 |
|
Waha Oil Company (MedOil) |
59 |
|
Bonatti, Libyan Branch |
58 |
|
Ras Lanuf Oil & Gas Processing Co. (MedOil) |
48 |
Government hospitals on the other hand are located in the regions of
Tripoli, Zawia, Benghazi, and Beida regions. The following are hospitals
that employ Filipino workers:
|
Hospitals |
Number of Filipino Workers |
|
Tripoli
Medical
Center
|
154 |
|
Tripoli
Central
Hospital
|
60 |
|
Zawia
Central
Hospital
|
30 |
|
Misurata
Central
Hospital
|
30 |
|
Jalo
General
Hospital |
30 |
|
Ali
Omar
Askar
Hospital
|
27 |
|
Al Afia Hospital |
24 |
|
Abusalem
Trauma
Hospital
|
24 |
|
Tajoura
National
Heart
Center
|
20 |
|
Al Razzi Mental Hospital |
19 |
Source: DFA Office of Middle East & African Affairs, July 2006
Reminders:
Libya is a Muslim country so respect to the Islamic teachings and customs
must be observed at all times.
Men and women should dress conservatively (long pants for men and long
dresses for women).
Avoid taking part in any religious or political discussions.
In
giving or receiving anything, use your right hand as it is considered rude
to accept anything with the left hand.
- Source:
OFW Guide
