Arabic translation required on passports of Libya-bound Pinoys

The government on Saturday advised overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) bound for Libya to adhere to that country's newly imposed regulation requiring their passports to carry the appropriate Arabic translation.

In a report to Labor and Employment Secretary Arturo D. Brion, the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Tripoli, Libya said that non-adherence by OFWs to the new policy would severely affect their entry or re-entry to Libya, resulting in deportation.

Labor Attache Nasser S. Mustafa, who heads the POLO in Libya, warned that after the new policy was implemented by the Libyan government, three OFWs returning to Tripoli after vacation were not allowed to re-enter the country, and were deported back to the Philippines.

Mustafa said the three OFWs were not allowed to re-enter Libya because the first page of their passports, which gives the personal circumstances of the bearer, had not been translated from English to Arabic language.

He indicated that other foreign nationals entering Libya without the required translations in their passports had also been deported back to their countries of origin, while those leaving Libya are not allowed to board their planes.

Mustafa said the new rule has been issued by the Great Libyan Arab Jamahiriya General People's Committee for Transport and Telecommunication (Civil Aviation Authority) effective November 11, 2007, and covers all foreign and local nationals coming in and going out of Libya. Exempted are members of the diplomatic corps, senior government officials, and VIP-guests of Libya.

"Considering that the Libyan airport authorities have been strictly enforcing the policy, it is important that all concerned, particularly OFWs, should be aware of the guidelines in order to preclude adverse consequences," he said.

He added that Libya-bound OFWs should have the required translation done by the proper issuing authority of the country of origin, or any legal translation offices accredited to the country of origin, which are in both instances the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), or the Office of Muslim Affairs (OMA).

"The translation should be imprinted/stamped in a page of the passport and not as a separate document, and the page should show the seal of the proper issuing authority," Mustafa said.

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