MANILA, Philippines – The fate of a Filipino family in Ireland is in peril after its breadwinner reportedly joined a workers’ strike in the country.

Citing news reports posted at Republican Sinn Fein’s website, Garry Martinez, chairperson of Migrante International said the family of John Recto could face a possible deportation from Irish authorities.

“According to reports, John Recto, together with his wife and kids, are being threatened of a possible deportation from Ireland upon the confiscation of their immigrant visas by Irish authorities. We are concerned that this is another case where a worker is punished for fighting for his rights!”  Martinez said.

The reports stated that Recto joined a hunger strike last week together with shop stewards Jim Wyse and John Guinan against the Green Isle Food Factory at Co Kildare in Ireland to claim their compensation after they were sacked by the company last summer.

Local unions helped settle the matter amicably. Recto then sought to renew his working visa but it was confiscated.

“We believe that the confiscation of immigrant visas of Recto and his wife was discriminatory and was meant to punish Recto for joining the strike. This was meant to be a signal to all migrant workers to better be silent or else,” Martinez said.

He added that the move was a “clear violation of labor and human rights of John and his innocent family.”

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the Technical Engineering and Electrical Union (TEEU) are now making representations on behalf of Recto and his family to stop their deportation. Recto was the third man to join the company hunger strike. He has worked at the factory for 8 years.

Recto was joined by his family in Ireland 5 years ago. His 2 oldest children grew up in Ireland while his youngest child was born there.

“We call on the Department of Foreign Affairs to immediately assist the Recto family and exert all diplomatic means possible to stop the deportation process. We would like to remind the Philippine government that it has ratified the International Convention on the Rights of Migrants and their Families, which is clearly being violated in the case of the Recto family,” Martinez said.

Martinez likewise expressed his gratitude to Irish trade unions for supporting and protecting Recto and his family. Reports added that the group plans to bring the issue to the Irish government and international bodies related to the protection of migrant rights.