Worker deployment ban on Lebanon, Jordan lifted

MANILA, Philippines – President Arroyo has approved a recommendation to lift the ban on the deployment of Filipino workers to Jordan and Lebanon but left it up to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to decide when to put it into effect, officials said yesterday.

However, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the ban on the deployment of workers to Iraq and Afghanistan stays due to the continued fighting between multi-national forces and al-Qaeda militants in the two countries.

The ban on Somalia and Nigeria, where pirates frequently abduct seafarers, also stays.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) just submitted a memo recommending (the lifting of the ban) and the President has approved it,” Ermita told a news briefing.

“We maintain the total deployment ban of OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) to Iraq, and maintain the total deployment ban in view of the unstable security conditions in Afghanistan, also in Nigeria,” he said reading from the memo.

He said the total deployment ban to Lebanon and Jordan was lifted in view of improved security conditions, but the timing of the lifting will be left to the DOLE.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary for Migrants Workers’ Affairs Esteban Conejos Jr. asked the public to respect the ban since the purpose of the government is “to keep our overseas workers from harm and avoid further risks to their lives.”

Conejos added that Filipinos who would like to seek employment abroad might consider alternative countries where their safety will not be compromised.

The death of a Filipino worker in Kandahar Base in Afghanistan last March 20 only confirmed how easily such bans are defied. DFA officials admitted that there is a huge number of Filipinos working in Afghanistan.

Reports said there are about 10,000 OFWs in Iraq despite the total ban. The workers often pass through other Middle East countries and slip into Iraq and Jordan.

There are also reports that Somalian pirates are still holding nearly a hundred Filipino seamen captive.

He said the DFA, the DOLE, and other concerned agencies are continuously monitoring and assessing the situation in the three countries. Concerned Philippine embassies and consulates provide regular updates to the DFA.

Iraq has appealed to the Philippines to lift the deployment ban because they need millions of foreign workers for their post-war rehabilitation program.

The DOLE, on the other hand, admitted that there is still no protective mechanism in place to ensure the safety of workers to be deployed to Lebanon and Jordan.

A ranking labor official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Philippines and Lebanon have yet to agree on a policy on the hiring of OFWs, particularly domestic helpers.

“DOLE submitted a proposed agreement but we have yet to hear from the government of Lebanon whether they approve of it or not,” the labor official said in an interview.

Labor officials earlier insisted that the Philippine government will not lift the ban to Lebanon and Jordan until the two countries forge an agreement to ensure the protection of OFWs.

Among the proposed provisions is one that requires Lebanese employers to comply with the $400 minimum monthly salary for domestic helpers.

The labor official said the lifting of the ban is supposed to provide protection for OFWs since their employment contracts will pass through the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).

The official said Lebanese and Jordanian employers must also renew their accreditation with POEA and tie up anew with local agencies.

Despite the requirements, the official said there is still a need for an agreement providing mechanisms to protect OFWs from abuses and security risks.

The government imposed a deployment ban to Lebanon after war broke out between Israeli and Hezbollah forces in 2006. Close to 6,000 domestic helpers were repatriated from Lebanon.

DOLE, on the other hand, imposed a partial deployment ban to Jordan due to rising number of Filipino domestic helpers who ran away from their abusive employers.

Meanwhile, over 250, 000 jobs await highly skilled OFWs in Qatar and United Arab Emirates.

Labor Secretary Marianito Roque said about 106,000 working visas are still available for highly skilled Filipino workers who are aspiring to get a job in Qatar.

“Qatar approved a total of 296,787 work visas for OFWs and so far about 190,000 have been filled up, indicating that over 100,000 work visas are still available,” Roque disclosed.

He said 85 percent of the vacancies in Qatar require technical and highly skilled workers in the construction sector.

Just recently, the Philippines and Qatar discussed the ratification of a new agreement concerning the hiring of Filipino workers.

Roque said the two countries also agreed to prevent illegal recruitment as well as the excessive charging of fees, particularly among prospective domestic helpers.

“DOLE proposed that OFWs be required exit clearance prior to deployment to Qatar as a preventive measure against illegal recruitment,” he said.

DOLE would also submit a proposal to the Qatari government for the cooperation and assistance in training of OFWs to ensure adequate supply of skilled workers in the Philippines. –-Paolo Romero, Pia Lee-Brago, Mayen Jaymalin, Philippine Star