Issa Mohammad Ahmed
For Filipinos in Jordan, notably abroad staff, Issa Mohammad Ahmed is a real Kaanib ng Bayan, an ally who’s prepared to spend effort and time, even cash, to assist them when they’re in misery.
Ahmed, the official translator of the Philippine Embassy in Amman’s Help to Nationals (ATN), does extra than simply break down language obstacles and facilitate communication. His obligations additionally embody coordinating with Jordanian authorities, overseas recruitment businesses, and abroad Filipino staff (OFWs) in Jordan on points requiring sensible and authorized recommendation, case administration, and remaining decision of complaints.
Issa Mohammad Ahmed
In actuality, he serves as mediator, negotiator, adviser, comforter of the distressed and trouble-shooter. He doesn’t solely bridge the language divide between Filipinos and Jordanians but additionally presents help in no matter type, as wanted.
Jordan hosts about 39,000 OFWs. About 95 p.c of the Filipinos are family service staff (HSWs). A lot of the circumstances dealt with by the ATN program are labor-related.
With bachelor’s and grasp’s levels in tourism, Issa, who speaks fluent Arabic, English and French, tried to use his coaching by working for the French Belief Firm for worldwide transportations in reservation, reception, and ticketing (2008-2009); and the Ramahi Tourism as a information and driver (2009-2010).
Mr. Ahmed visiting a hospitalized OFW
Though the hospitality business held the promise of a cushty way of life, Ahmed apparently needed extra depth and breadth in his life and, thus, took the job on the Philippine Embassy.
From the beginning, the Jordanian nationwide confirmed he was not going to take the job flippantly and was seemingly decided to make a distinction. He began by doing a complete research of Filipino nationals in Jordan, a very powerful and critical points they confronted, and the type of help they wanted.
Primarily based on the findings of his research, he ready a complete motion plan and developed a database with all the data that may be wanted – maps, cellphone numbers, and addresses of ministries, directorates, safety facilities, hospitals, and others.
Ahmed is all the time prepared to transcend what his phrases of reference as a workers member of the Embassy require him to do. In 2013, he volunteered his providers when large flooding in Jordan affected the Philippine Embassy constructing. With out ready to be requested and utilizing his personal cash, he rented tools to take away flood water from the constructing. He stayed with the 911 and Civil Protection Staff to supervise rescue operations till the Embassy was completely cleared of flood water and particles.
Mr. Ahmed aiding within the repatriation of distressed Abroad Filipino Staff (OFWs) again
to the Philippines
In 2014, Issa helped discover a lacking Syrian nationwide, who was married to a Filipina. The couple bought separated whereas escaping from Damascus, the capital of Syria, throughout the Civil Conflict within the nation. The husband escaped with their kids.
Ahmed used his private contacts by way of his household and tribe in Irbid Governorate to find the husband and the youngsters. He additionally assisted the Filipino spouse in gaining custody of the youngsters whom she ultimately delivered to the Philippines when she returned house.
Issa once more relied on his private connections to assist a distressed Filipina employee in 2015. The girl had simply given beginning however discovered that her new child had a critical well being downside. The child was born prematurely and had a congenital eye downside that wanted fast therapy from a personal specialist in ophthalmology. The mom had no extra money to pay for the specialist’s providers however, if the attention process was not completed instantly, the newborn might go blind.
Ahmed requested his ophthalmologist buddy for assist. The attention physician agreed to look at the newborn at his clinic without spending a dime. With the right remedy, which the ophthalmologist additionally gave without spending a dime, the attention downside was cured and the newborn’s eyes had been saved. Mom and little one quickly left for the Philippines in good well being.
To assist a runaway employee from Irbid Governorate in 2017, Issa sought the help of his family members to offer shelter for the Filipino, whereas ready for the arrival of Police authorities and the Embassy ATN workforce. By way of Ahmed’s personal efforts, the Filipino was ultimately delivered to the Embassy.
Ahmed’s efforts to rescue and help distressed Filipino staff will not be all the time appreciated. A fellow Jordanian nationwide, who had employed a Filipina employee, filed a authorized case towards Issa. The Philippine Embassy lawyer supplied authorized recommendation to resolve the matter amicably.
Throughout President Rodrigo Duterte’s official go to to Amman in 2018, Ahmed sought the help of his private contacts in Jordan to make sure the occasion went easily. Issa additionally made himself out there for any official help wanted earlier than and throughout the occasion.
In 2019, Ahmed supplied particular help to the Embassy’s Overseas Liaison Officer who was happening an official go to to Syria to fulfill Filipinos stranded due to the civil unrest within the nation.
Many circumstances involving OFWs had been resolved rather more shortly due to Ahmed’s private intercession on behalf of the Embassy. He made each effort essential to barter amicable options between the Embassy and native authorities, and employers of the employees. By way of his efforts, circumstances that might have taken a very long time to resolve had been shortly concluded satisfactorily.
One notable case in 2020 concerned a Filipina working in Aqaba Metropolis. Her employer refused to settle the case and wouldn’t launch her so she might work for a brand new employer. Ahmed personally went to Aqaba to fulfill the employer and succeeded in settling the case. After the settlement, he helped the lady discover a new job and employer. With the assistance of his family and friends, he ultimately discovered her a job on the Aqaba Responsibility Free Store, the place working circumstances and wage had been higher. The girl remains to be working on the Responsibility Free Store.
Ahmed involves the rescue of Filipinos with work-related, authorized or well being points. He willingly helps on his personal and at no expense to the Philippine authorities when OFWs ask at any day or time. There have been a number of situations when he provided to defray the prices incurred by Filipinos he visited in jail, police stations, or hospitals. He supplied milk, diapers, garments and different fundamental wants. He spent his personal cash to offer for the fast wants of Filipino runaways within the Irbid Governorate.
Luciana Obejas, a pacesetter within the native Filipino neighborhood, stated Ahmed was a “well-meaning and honest” particular person. “He has a coronary heart for Filipinos in Jordan. We all know he additionally works past his duties and we’re very comfortable to have him within the Embassy.”
The Philippine Embassy stated Ahmed was instrumental within the profitable repatriation of over 1,100 OFWs from 2019 to early 2020 below Jordan’s 2019 Amnesty Legislation.
For his providers to Filipinos over and past the decision of obligation, Ahmed was conferred the 2020 Help to Nationals Award throughout the 122nd Founding Anniversary celebration of the Division of Overseas Affairs on July 23, 2020 in Manila. It was a milestone for the Award program, which began in 2002. Ahmed grew to become the primary foreigner to obtain such recognition. Issa was cited for his exemplary efficiency in offering help to Filipino nationals, and for the safety and promotion of the pursuits and welfare of abroad Filipinos in Jordan and Palestine.
The award was thought-about an affirmation of the brotherly cooperation and cordial relations between the Philippines and Jordan on issues of mutual curiosity, primarily, the safety of migrant staff’ rights and welfare, and provision of consular service.
In conferring the Kaanib ng Bayan Award to Mr. Issa Mohammad Ahmed, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte acknowledges his dedication and exemplary service in aiding and selling the welfare of distressed Filipino nationals in Jordan.
