Seventy Filipino caregivers in Madrid, Spain are now out of jobs due to the global financial meltdown.

The overseas Filipino workers’ contracts were not renewed as caring homes initiate budget cuts and downgrade manpower.

While looking for a new contract, they rely on the social security benefits given by the Spanish government amounting to 700 euros or P45,500 each month.

However, they are just entitled to 4-months of social benefits from the host government, which covered their previous one-year contract.

Sol Fabon is a mass communication graduate of Far Eastern University. She was forced to work as caregiver.

Fabon hopes to find a new employer before the 4-month deadline covering the social benefits expires.

Meanwhile, Rafael Rafales used to be a physical therapist in Manila. Like his co-workers, Rafales obtained a new residence card making his stay in Spain valid for the next two years.

While waiting for a new work permit, Rafales does not want to go back to the Philippines.

The labor office in Madrid is fully aware of the plight of the affected Filipino caregivers.

Labor Attache Ramon Tionloc admits this is a temporary problem. In due time, he is confident that a new work permit would be granted to the caregivers.

Tionloc wants the caregivers to submit additional documents of their school records, have them authenticated so they can get into other jobs apart from being a caregiver.