RP warned vs lifting OFW ban to Lebanon

While declaring the Philippines as a role model for other countries in overseas migration, the International Organization for Migration yesterday warned government officials here against lifting of the deployment to Lebanon.

IOM Director General Bruson Mckinley said the Philippines should exercise caution in deciding whether or not to resume sending Filipino workers to war-torn Lebanon.

"The situation in Lebanon is still very fragile, so slow and careful approach is needed," Mckinley said in an interview.

Mckinley explained that the political situation in Lebanon remains very tense, thus hostilities might erupt anytime and put at risk the lives of foreign workers, including Filipinos.

"Right now the (Philippine) government must pay very close attention to the situation in Lebanon before making any decision," he said.

It will be recalled that IOM assisted the Philippine government in providing free repatriation for thousands of Filipino workers, mostly domestic helpers who were working in Lebanon when the war erupted there last year.

Shortly after war broke between Israeli and Hezbollah forces in July 2006, the Philippine government imposed a ban on the deployment of Filipino workers to Lebanon. – Mayen Jaymalin