At least 6,000 OFWs to return home from Iraq

MANILA, Philippines – At least 6,000 Filipino workers are set to return home from war-torn Iraq upon the orders of the US government, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) reported yesterday.

OWWA chief Carmelita Dimzon said the US Central Command has ordered the immediate repatriation of all foreign workers from countries with existing travel ban to Iraq.

“The US Central Command notified all contractors to send home by Aug. 9 all expatriates from countries that have imposed a travel ban,” Dimzon said in an interview.

According to Dimzon, the US Central Command stressed that all contractors must comply with international laws prohibiting travel and employment in Iraq.

“It has been widely known that many US contractors are still hiring Filipino workers despite the fact that a ‘not valid in Iraq’ note is printed on their passports,” Dimzon said.

Aside from the Philippines, Dimzon said, the repatriation order covers Nepalese workers.

Dimzon explained that US contractors would be shouldering the cost of repatriation of the Filipino workers from Iraq.

The OWWA chief said the Philippine government has no data on the actual number of Filipinos working in Iraq, but it is estimated that there are between 6,000 to 8,000 OFWs currently employed in various US military facilities there.

In 2005, the Philippine government imposed a ban on deployment of Filipino workers to Iraq; however, OFWs continually defy the ban and sneak into the war-torn country.

Although the OFWs violated the ban, Dimzon said, the Philippine government is not keen on punishing the workers, but is now readying a package of assistance for them upon their arrival.

“We are readying assistance, including airport services upon their arrival as well as reintegration program that would help them look for other employment or set up their own business,” Dimzon said. –Mayen Jaymalin (The Philippine Star)