MANILA, Philippines—The total ban against the deployment of Filipino workers to Iraq remains, but the thousands of Filipinos working in military facilities of the United States in the war-torn country may continue working there until their contracts expires.
These policies were issued by the high-level inter-agency committee mandated to assess the security situation of and ensure the safety and welfare of Filipino workers in Iraq, the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a news release.
The inter-agency committee made the recommendation three weeks after the arrival of Special Envoy Roy Cimatu from Iraq.
“According to the task force, Filipino workers currently employed by the US government or their subcontractors inside US military bases and facilities will be allowed to continue working in Iraq on the condition that their safety is assured and there will be guaranteed repatriation to the Philippines at the end of their engagement,” the DFA said.
From an initial estimate of 8,000 overseas Filipino workers in the war-torn country, the DFA said there are now only some 2,000 overseas Filipino workers in US military bases and facilities in Iraq.
The DFA said this high-level decision has been communicated to US authorities through the Philippine embassies in Washington DC and Baghdad “as the basis for the Filipino nationals working inside the US bases to be considered compliant with previous US directive of repatriating non-compliant foreign workers.”
Late July, the US military in Iraq ordered the immediate repatriation of third-country nationals whose countries prohibit them from working there. The order prompted Cimatu’s trip. OFWs in Iraq have opposed the ban, arguing that they are safe inside the US military facilities.
US troops are already leaving Iraq, in compliance with an order of US President Barack Obama.
The inter-agency task force is composed of the Department of Labor and Employment, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, and Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Office of the Executive Secretary. –Veronica Uy, INQUIRER.net
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!
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October –
Monthly Observances:
Industry and Commerce Safety Month
National Statistics Month
Local Government Month
Consumer Welfare Month
Cooperative Month
National Quality and Productivity Improvement Month
National Health and Wellness Tourism Month
National Indigenous Peoples Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 1: Elderly Filipino Week
Week 2: National Health Education Week
Local Government Week
National Mental Health Week
October 17-23:
National Week for Overcoming Extreme Poverty
October 18 – 24:
United Nations Week
Last Week:
Nurses’ Week
Consumers’ Protection Week
Week of the 4th Sunday:
Barrio Farmers’ Week
Daily Observances:
First Monday (Oct 4): Universal Children’s Day i
n the Philippines
Oct 5: National Teachers’ Day
Oct 10: Local Government Day
Third Thursday (Oct 14): Conflict Resolution Day
Oct 21: Tenants’ Emancipation day
Oct 24: United Nations Day
Oct 29: National Indigenous People’s Thanksgiving Day
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