The Philippine government has rescued about 40 Filipino truck drivers in Germany and Poland who were suffering from poor living and working conditions.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Filipino drivers were recruited and sent to work in the two countries. Assistant Secretary Elmer Cato said the DFA was looking into the possibility that the drivers were victims of human trafficking, PTV News reported.
The Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Geneva is now in contact with the men’s employer to discuss their situation. The DFA said the men contacted the Philippine Embassies in Warsaw and Berlin for assistance.
Both embassies provided them with food and shelter and were working closely with authorities to investigate the case. The case was first brought to the attention of the Philippine Embassy in Oslo, who rescued 22 Filipinos from poor living conditions in Denmark.
In October, 22 Filipino truck drivers were rescued in Padborg, Denmark, after Danish police raided the camp where they were staying. The DFA said the living conditions were “unacceptable by any standard.”
Read: Filipino workers rescued from poor living conditions in Denmark