No deployment ban to Ukraine, Lebanon

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine government is still deploying Filipino workers to the Ukraine and Lebanon despite tensions in these countries.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration is not yet imposing a deployment ban to Ukraine and Lebanon. The POEA would stop the deployment depending on the recommendation of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

“We will wait for the DFA alert system,” Baldoz said.

POEA chief Hans Cacdac said the DFA is closely monitoring the situation in Lebanon and will issue the necessary crisis alert based on the department’s assessment.

Earlier, the government reported that a Filipina household worker was among those injured in the twin explosions in Bir Hassan, Southern Beirut. Eleven people died and more than a hundred were hurt in the blast.

A majority of Filipino workers employed in Lebanon are household service workers.

The government used to prohibit sending of Filipino workers to Lebanon, but lifted the ban after a signing of an agreement ensuring safety and welfare of Filipino workers.

The DFA also monitors the situation in Ukraine amid the prevailing unrest in the country. There is still no report of a Filipino being hurt or affected by the crisis there.