Government lifts OFW deployment ban to Nigeria

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has reported that deployment of Filipino workers to Nigeria may soon resume after the government has considered lifting the ban.

“We already conducted the necessary assessment and the POEA governing board will soon come out with a resolution for the lifting of the ban,” POEA chief Jennifer Manalili said.

Manalili, however, stressed that the lifting of the ban may be partial and only returning workers will be allowed to work in Nigeria.

“Only those who have been working in Nigeria for 10 years and have been safe with their jobs will be allowed to leave the country,” she said.

Manalili explained that hostilities are limited in certain areas in Nigeria, a good reason for POEA to consider a partial lifting of the ban.

She also reported that labor officials will soon be meeting with their Lebanese counterparts to negotiate the forging of an agreement ensuring welfare of Filipino workers in Lebanon, stressing that the Philippine government has yet to lift the deployment ban there.

Honorary Consul of Lebanon to the Philippines Joseph Assad expressed optimism that the discussions between the two governments will result to eventual lifting of the deployment ban.

DOLE Secretary Marianito Roque and other labor officials went to Beirut last month to look into the concerns of OFWs in Lebanon.

Roque, earlier, said that the Philippine government will not lift the deployment ban in Lebanon until the government there could ensure the safety and welfare of Filipino workers.

Meanwhile, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) said more distressed workers will be repatriated from various countries abroad.

OWWA Administrator Carmelita Dimzon said many public and private agencies have expressed their support for the government to repatriate Filipino victims of illegal recruitment and other abuses abroad.

OWWA is limited by law to pay only for travel tickets of those who are registered or documented OFWs and legitimate members. –Mayen Jaymalin, Philippine Star