(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
September 18 –
International Equal Pay Day
“Increase wages now,
more than other cost items.
For widespread, practical equality!”
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
September –
5 Sept – Intl Day of Charity
7 Sept – Intl Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies
8 Sept – International Literacy Day
12 Sept – United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation
15 Sept – International Day of Democracy
16 Sept – International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
17 Sept – World Patient Safety Day
18 Sept – International Equal Pay Day
21 Sept – International Day of Peace
26 Sept – International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons
27 Sept – World Tourism Day
28 Sept – International Day for Universal Access to Information
29 Sept – International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste
30 Sept – World Maritime Day
Monthly Observances:
Health, Safety and Sanitation Month
National Clean-up Month
Civil Service Month
National Peace Consciousness Month
Social Security Month
Rule of Law Month
National Teachers’ Month (Sept 5-Oct 4)
Weekly Observances:
Sept 17 – 23:
World Clean and Green Week
Week 2: Education Week
Week 4: Medicine Week
Last Week: National Family Week
Daily Observances:
Third Saturday:
International Coastal Clean-up Day
Third Monday: World Health Day
Last Friday: National Maritime Day
Sept 8: National Literacy Day
Sept 15: Philippine Medicine Day
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