POEA issues resolution partially lifting deployment ban to Iraq, Afghanistan

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has issued a resolution partially lifting the deployment ban to Afghanistan and Iraq.

Under POEA Governing Board Resolution No. 5 dated Sept. 2, 2011, the agency said Filipinos working inside US military camps and installations in the said areas are now allowed to continue with their contracts that could be renewed on site.

This means that Filipinos with “validly existing contracts” in the US facilities may come home to the Philippines for vacation and they will be allowed by the POEA to return to their work under such contracts.

But those working outside the US facilities are still covered by a ban issued by the POEA through Governing Board Resolution No. 8 of 2007 in view of the dangerous security situation in Afghanistan and Iraq.

According to Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, the POEA resolution was issued to clarify queries from migrant workers who fear that they might not be allowed to return to Afghanistan and Iraq if they come home.

It is estimated that there are some 7,000 Filipinos working in US facilities in the two countries.

The resolution is consistent with the recent pronouncement of Malacañang that the total ban had been reconsidered based on the Department of Foreign Affairs’ assessment of conditions there.

The new policy came amid concerns over an order of the US military to all contractors not to recruit third country nationals from nations that have laws prohibiting their citizens from traveling and working in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Contractors who will violate the order will be prohibited from participating in US projects in the two nations. –Sheila Crisostomo (The Philippine Star)