POEA bars 3 US firms from hiring OFWs

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has barred three American-owned companies from hiring Filipino workers.

POEA chief Hans Cacdac said yesterday he has issued a preventive suspension order against Black Elk Energy Offshore Operations, D&R Resources, and Grand Isle Shipyard for failing to protect Filipino workers.

He said all the companies were involved in an oil rig explosion that killed three Filipino workers in the Gulf of Mexico last year.

Cacdac said he also barred DNR Offshore and Crewing Services, Inc. from recruiting and deploying Filipino workers to the three US firms.

According to Cacdac, he issued the preventive suspension order pending an investigation into the recruitment violation case filed against the companies.

He said the suspension is based on the findings of the US Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, which reported that the explosion was primarily caused by the failure of Black Elk and all its contractors, including Grand Isle Shipyard, to adhere to established safety procedures in oil platform operations.