Government bans deployment of OFWs to Afghanistan

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino workers are now barred from seeking employment in Afghanistan amid the prevailing tension in the Islamic country.

In a governing board resolution, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) ordered the imposition of a total deployment ban to Afghanistan.

POEA noted that the deployment ban was imposed to ensure the welfare and protection of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) previously placed Afghanistan under alert level 4 in response to the worsening security situation.

“Alert level entails imposition of an absolute ban on deployment, which includes returning workers due to large scale internal conflict,” the POEA pointed out.

POEA is extending assistance in the repatriation of Filipino workers from Afghanistan, where the Taliban took over in mid-August after a swift turn of events following the pullout of US troops.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration earlier assured OFWs of financial and other appropriate assistance upon coming home from the strife-torn state.

8 Pinoys refuse repatriation

The DFA yesterday said eight Filipinos in Afghanistan have deferred repatriation.

“An additional eight Filipinos have registered with the embassy but do not wish to be repatriated at this time,” the DFA said, but did not elaborate on their reasons for refusal.

A total of 175 Filipinos have been evacuated out of Kabul while 32 remain in Afghanistan, it said.

The DFA said 22 Filipinos requested company or government repatriation.

It confirmed that another 16 Filipinos have left the Afghan capital via a military flight and are now in the United Kingdom.

A group of 13 repatriates who left Afghanistan landed in Oslo, Norway while one made it to Almaty, Kazakhstan and another in Kuwait, the DFA reported.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs thanks all countries who continue to assist and cooperate with us in repatriating our citizens from Afghanistan. This help is essential in enabling our people to leave safely,” it said.

It also assured the public that all repatriates, wherever they may be or who request return to the Philippines, will be assisted. – Pia Lee-Brago