Gov't lifts OFW ban in northern Iraq

[high_heels]

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MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine government has lifted the ban on the deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to Iraq’s northern Kurdistan region, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.

DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) issued Memorandum Circular No. 4 Series of 2012 on April 27 lifting the deployment ban to Kurdistan.

In November the DFA said that the Philippines would revisit the ban on the deployment of OFWs to Iraq based on an assessment of the situation in the country.

The government’s policy on Iraq, the DFA said, may change depending on the situation there.

Despite the Philippines’ travel and labor deployment to Iraq, the government failed to stop the recruitment of OFWs to work in US military camps in Iraq.

Around 6,000 Filipinos are working in Iraq, according to the DFA.

Safe for OFWs

Meanwhile, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has declared Kurdistan as a safe destination for Filipino nurses and other skilled workers.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said she has received a report from the DFA that the situation in northern Iraq is now generally peaceful.



“Kurdistan is now recognized internationally because of the relative safety that led to its economic growth, which in turn gives greater incentive for the government there to maintain the satisfactory level of peace and security in the region,” Baldoz said in a statement.

Based on the DFA report, there are now representatives from various countries, ranging from consulate generals to liaison officers.

Baldoz noted that 200 OFWs are now employed in oil, telecoms, and hotel industries in Kurdistan.

The POEA, on the other hand, warned that aggressive recruitment of highly skilled workers is illegal.

“It is unethical to offer overseas employment to groups of workers, especially highly skilled workers, for the purpose of pulling them out of gainful employment in our country. Such practices affect our economy and investor confidence, and deplete skills in local industries. Let’s be clear about one thing: actual decent work in the Philippines should never be undermined by jobs offered abroad,” POEA chief Hans Cacdac said.

Cacdac noted that under the law, a person is prohibited from attempting to induce a worker already employed to quit his employment by offering him another job, unless the transfer is designed to liberate a worker from oppressive terms and conditions of employment.

He said the POEA is ready to file proper charges against any person or recruitment agency found violating the law.

The POEA issued the warning following reports that some licensed agencies are engaging in predatory recruitment.

from: Gov't lifts OFW ban in northern Iraq - The Philippine Star » News » Headlines

Istoryans, ano say nyo? For me, this is good news... Against all the negative statements from other Filipinos, it's hard to deny that plenty of Filipinos are still looking for opportunities abroad and this is another door of opportunities for our OFWs. Di lang unta ta negative sa development, afterall, they labor help and we have plenty of talents.

[high_heels]

walay mo comment? ? ? Comment sad mo oi para kahibaw sa inyong opinion... cheers istoryans!

[Eve's Apple Project]

No comment nalng jud.Diha gihapon ni padung. if you look at our maroon passport, wa naman ang "Not Valid for Travel to Iraq".

[EviLHigH]

nganong not valid man kuno? kinsay nag sulti bah? kinsay source nimo??

[Eve's Apple Project]

@evilHigh: ang bag-ong passport wa nay tatak..
ang green passport sauna kay naa pay tatak nga "NOT to travel for iraq"

[high_heels]

@evilHigh: ang bag-ong passport wa nay tatak..
ang green passport sauna kay naa pay tatak nga "NOT to travel for iraq"

right ka bro, the newly issued passports no longer has that. All filipinos are now open to travel to Iraq.

The deployment ban has also been partially lifted. Which means certain areas in Iraq can now accept OFWS as their workers. In general, thumbs up gihapon ko for this. Kay daghan kaayo nanginahanglan trabaho nato.

and their government is looking at 20,000 medical practitioners and those who are in the construction industry to work in their country kay they are rebuilding their medical infrastructures and other facilities.

[æRLO]

Still pretty hot there. But not as hot as Syria at the moment.

[Dorothea]

Kapaet pud kung atong mga kababayans mo pursigi nalang ug work sa Iraq despite the obvious dangers. tsk tsk tsk

[Eve's Apple Project]

^^ unfortunately, this is better than magstambay sa pinas. I am really not in favor ani but unsaon taman, panginabuhi man ni ($$$). Lipay jud kaayo ang govt ani kay dako kaayo ni ikatabang sa pagkasaka sa economiya sa pinas (without really thinking of the emotional impact it can do to the family of the ofws who are left behind). A very sad reality sa ato kay kinahanglan pata mogawas sa nasud para mahayahay.

[Eve's Apple Project]

right ka bro, the newly issued passports no longer has that. All filipinos are now open to travel to Iraq.

The deployment ban has also been partially lifted. Which means certain areas in Iraq can now accept OFWS as their workers. In general, thumbs up gihapon ko for this. Kay daghan kaayo nanginahanglan trabaho nato.

and their government is looking at 20,000 medical practitioners and those who are in the construction industry to work in their country kay they are rebuilding their medical infrastructures and other facilities.

Good for the people who can benefit ani bai. i am really not in favor with this move but i know mas maayo nalng ni nga naay work kaysa magstambay lang sa pinas.