6,000 OFWs in Afghanistan jobless by yearend

MANILA, Philippines—Some 6,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Afghanistan will lose their jobs by the end of the year if the government fails to lift the ban on deployment of Filipino workers to the war-torn country.

To prevent the mass repatriation of OFWs from Afghanistan, Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez has filed a resolution urging the Department of Labor and Employment to rescind its order prohibiting the deployment of OFWs to Afghanistan and for the Department of Foreign Affairs to recall its order banning travel to that country.

Though it may be one of the most dangerous countries in the world, Afghanistan has become a temporary home to some 6,000 Filipino workers who, although they entered the country illegally, have found a living there amid war and chaos.

Proposed House Resolution 515 noted that despite the total travel and work ban imposed since 2007, and despite continuing security concerns, OFWs have secured employment in Afghanistan.

Majority of the OFWs are employed in US bases, camps and other military facilities maintained by the US and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in Afghanistan. –Michael Lim Ubac, Philippine Daily Inquirer