“KBR has been preventing them from returning to the Philippines to be with their families unless they sign an extension of their contract based on the old minimum wage rate,” the Post quoted DMW Usec. Bernard Olalia as saying.
“In effect, KBR is employing emotional blackmail by making their return to the Philippines conditional on their agreeing to an onerous contract. Not only is this unlawful, but it also violates the basic rights of these Filipino workers," Olalia said.
The Post also quoted KBR vice president for global marketing Philip Ivy as saying that the flights "never had anything whatsoever to do with Philippine wage requirements". Ivy said flights continue to operate from Diego Garcia to Japan and Bahrain and that Filipinos are allowed to board them.