POEA imposes OFW ban in Iraq

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) yesterday imposed a ban on the deployment of Filipino workers to Iraq due to the deteriorating security situation in the Arab country.

POEA administrator Hans Leo Cacdac said the ban “is in line with crisis alert level three imposed by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).”

Crisis alert level three entails voluntary repatriation, with the Philippine government shouldering the cost of repatriation.

The DFA raised crisis alert level three for most parts of Iraq, except the Kurdistan region which remains relatively calm and stable. Kurdistan is still under alert level 1 or precautionary phase.

The jihadist group Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant has seized a large swathe of northern Iraq, including the second city of Mosul, and has threatened to advance toward Baghdad.

There are around 500 Filipino workers in Iraq, mostly working in United States military facilities in Baghdad.

The United Nations has expressed “extreme alarm” at reports of summary executions, extrajudicial killings and displacement of half a million people, many of whom are now in urgent need of shelter.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said reports suggest the number of people killed in recent days may run into the hundreds and the number of wounded is approaching 1,000.

With the worsening security situation, the DFA urged Filipinos in Iraq “to return to the Philippines at government expense.”

The POEA also reminded recruitment agencies and employers that it is their primary responsibility to repatriate Filipino workers, especially since recruiters are covered by compulsory repatriation insurance.

The DFA is sending a rapid response team to Iraq to assist in the voluntary repatriation of Filipinos. The department also continues to closely monitor the political and security developments in the Arab country.

Travel exemptions

Meanwhile, travel exemptions for Filipino workers returning to Libya have been approved, but crisis alert level three remains in effect for that country.

The DFA, in consultation with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), POEA and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, approved travel exemptions for several Filipino workers who have existing and valid contracts with their employers in Libya.

Filipino workers allowed to return to Libya are household service staff employed by diplomats in foreign embassies; those employed by the UN and other international organizations in Libya; those working offshore in oil rig platforms provided that they will not pass through mainland Libya nor spend their vacation there; those working for multinational companies, government hospitals and schools and the Libyan National Oil Co.; and Filipinos who are married to Libyans.

“These overseas Filipino workers will also need to secure a letter from their employers guaranteeing their safety, security and repatriation in case the situation in Libya deteriorates and imminent danger to their lives and well-being is present,” the DFA said.

The DOLE and POEA will announce the implementation date and issue the guidelines so the Filipino workers can avail themselves of these exemptions.