POEA names countries where Pinoy workers can be deployed

The Labor department’s Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has issued resolutions modifying the list of countries where overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) can and cannot be deployed.

The POEA Governing Board approved two resolutions — GB Resolution 6 and GB Resolution 7 — in compliance with requirements specified under Section 3 of Republic Act (RA) 10022, or The Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995 as amended.

GB Resolution 6 specifies a list of 49 countries in addition to the 76 countries contained in GB Resolution 2 dated May 17, 2011, or a total of 125 countries where the OFWs can be continually deployed.

GB Resolution 7 specifies a list of 41 countries where the OFWs cannot be deployed for non-compliance with guarantees required under RA 10022.

The resolutions will soon be published in two newspapers and will take effect 15 days after their publication.

The POEA Governing Board issued the two additional resolutions on the basis of certifications of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), as required under Section 3 of RA 10022.

It “has thoroughly discussed and considered the DFA certifications and, in accordance with the law, issued the resolutions,” said Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, also the chairman of the Governing Board.

Baldoz added that the board was mindful of Section 3 of RA 10022, which provides that “the state shall allow the deployment of overseas workers only in countries where the rights of Filipino migrant workers are protected.”

Under the provision, the receiving country should have existing labor and social laws protecting the rights of workers, including migrant workers; a signatory to and/or a ratifier of multilateral conventions, declarations or resolutions relating to the protection of workers, including migrant workers; and has concluded a bilateral agreement or arrangement with the government on the protection of the rights of overseas Filipino workers.

Baldoz said that countries declared non-compliant can initiate negotiation and conclude bilateral agreements to address non-compliance.

For companies and contractors with international operations in non-compliant countries, deployment of Filipino workers will not be affected pursuant to Section 3 of RA 10022, unless there is an existing ban to that country, she explained. –Daily Tribune