DUBLIN, Ireland – The government of Ireland recently allowed an extension to the residency visa of migrant workers who lost their jobs due to the global economic crisis.

“It’s a three-month residency stamp,” Migrants Rights Center Ireland (MRCI) director Shioban O’Donoghue said.

ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau reported that MRCI has long been campaigning for the extension called the “Bridging Visa”.

Filipinos affected by the economic crisis were happy with the three-month extension that began in October until the end of this year.

“For those Filipino migrant workers who come to Ireland on valid work permit and who become undocumented through no fault of your own,” said Sancha Magat, coordinator of referrals and mainstreaming of the MRCI.

The program would allow migrants to look for employment in the span of the three-month period.

For additional information about the “Bridging Visa” program, applicants are urged to call MRCI at 01 889 7570 or email info@mrci.ie. Report from Roderick Garcia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau , Ireland