APPARENTLY inspired by the "shoe attack" against US President George Bush, members of the migrant group Migrante International yesterday threw their shoes at the gates of the Department of Foreign Affairs and at an effigy of President Arroyo to mark their observance of International Migrants’ Day.

Last Monday, an Iraqi reporter threw his shoes at Bush during a press conference. The reporter narrowly missed the target. In Iraqi culture, throwing shoes at someone is said to be an expression of contempt.

Close to a hundred members of Migrante gathered in front of the DFA office in Pasay City to express their outrage over what they said was the dissatisfactory handling by the government of the cases of abused overseas Filipino workers.

"We are giving the Arroyo government, including the DFA, a failing mark for the year 2008 and expect nothing better in the coming year in terms of their efforts to protect our beloved OFWs," said Migrante chairman Gary Martinez.

Migrante said "shoe-throwing contests" were also observed by its chapters in Hong Kong, Canada, Australia, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and the US.

The group sought the resignation of DFA Undersecretary Esteban Conejos. They tried to send a letter, contained in a box wrapped in black. But members bearing the "gift" were stopped at the DFA gate.

Migrante again criticized the government for continuing to send Filipino workers abroad despite numerous cases of abuses. It said the government should instead provide local employment.

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration said close to half a million jobs are still available for Filipino workers.

POEA administrator Jennifer Manalili said the Middle East sector remains the stronghold of the OFW destination market.

Leading the Arab nations in the demand for OFWs are Saudi Arabia and Qatar, with about 37,000 each in job opportunities, and the United Arab Emirates with close to 29,000.

"We have not received any cancellations, so these are still active job orders," Manalili said.

Manalili confirmed at least 2,240 OFWs have lost their jobs.

Taiwan firms led the way in the pre-termination of OFW contracts with 2,087 laid-off workers followed by Australia (75), Brunei (69) and London (16).