(Updated 5:35 p.m.) MANILA, Philippines — Iraq’s ambassador called Tuesday on the Philippines to lift its travel ban to Iraq, saying Filipinos can benefit by taking part in his war-damaged country’s reconstruction.
Ambassador Wadee Al-Batti was reacting to a recent Philippine government reiteration of a travel and workers’ deployment ban to high-risk countries like Iraq, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Lebanon, Jordan and Somalia.
He said peace and order has greatly improved in Iraq since the Philippines first imposed the ban in 2004, but that no country can guarantee against terrorist attacks.
There are now some 50 embassies in Baghdad and not all of them are located in the Green Zone, an indication of the better security situation there, Al-Batti said. He was referring to the well-guarded area that houses the US Embassy, Iraqi government offices and the parliament.
“I see the ban as a hindrance which limits our potential … and doesn’t allow the relationship between Iraq and the Philippines to go to a new level,” Al-Batti told reporters.
He said Iraq is now an open country offering many opportunities, including a demand for more than 3 million houses, thousands of schools and more than 100 hospitals.
The Philippines banned its citizens from working in Iraq in July 2004 after insurgents abducted and threatened to behead Filipino truck driver Angelo dela Cruz. He was released after then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo agreed to withdraw the Philippines’ small military contingent in Iraq — a decision strongly criticized by Washington and other coalition allies.
Some 4,000 Filipinos, mostly workers in US bases, remain in Iraq after they were allowed last year by the Manila government to finish their contracts, Philippine special envoy to the Middle East Roy Cimatu told The Associated Press.
“The Philippines values opportunities for Filipino labor in overseas markets, and an interagency committee will take up the work opportunities opening up in Iraq,” Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Eduardo Malaya said. Ensuring workers’ security and welfare will be among the considerations taken, he added. — AP
March –
IT’S WOMEN’S MONTH!
“Respect and support women
every day of the year/s!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands
#Report Corruption #SearchPosts #TakePicturesVideos
Monthly Observances:
Women’s Role in History Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 1: Environmental Week;
Women’s Week
Week 3: Philippine Industry and “
Made-in-the-Philippines Products Week
Last Week: Protection and Gender-Fair Treatment
of the Girl Child Week
Daily Observances:
March 8: Women’s Rights and
International Peace Day;
National Women’s Day
March 4: Employee Appreciation Day
March 15: World Consumer Rights Day
March 18: Global Recycling Day
March 21: International Day for the Elimination
of Racial Discrimination
March 23: International Day for the Right to the Truth
Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations
and for the Dignity of Victims
March 25: International Day of Remembrance of the
Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
March 27: Earth Hour
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