POEA stiff with violators of Mid-East deployment ban

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) is now closely monitoring recruitment agencies in the country to pin down those who are violating the existing deployment ban imposed in Iraq, Afghanistan, Nigeria and Lebanon.

In a memorandum signed by Labor Secretary Arturo Brion sent to POEA administrator Rosalinda Baldoz, administrator Marianito Roque of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (Owwa) and Labor Undersecretary Luzvimnda Padilla, Brion directed the three officials to ensure that no recruitment firm will be spared from this new order if proven guilty for violating the deployment ban.

“The POEA should take, both criminal and administrative, against recruitment agencies violating our ban," the order stated.

“Upon prima facie evidence of the violation, the erring recruitment agency should immediately be suspended," Brion said

He said they have decided to re-impose a total ban in the deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to Iraq, Afghanistan, Nigeria and Lebanon amid clamor from recruitment companies to lift the ban.

Brion explained that he discussed the matter with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) where he patterned his instruction.

“Pursuant to the advice of the DFA, reiterated, we asked for its re-examination, there shall be a total ban in the deployment of all workers in Iraq, Afghanistan, Nigeria and Lebanon.

Last month, the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) issued a ruling partially listing the ban, however, it was recalled by Brion on still unknown reason.

Filipino communities in Saudi Arabia as well as the workers in Iraq have been asking the government to lift the ban.

Aside from Saudi Arabia and Lebanon, representatives of various worker groups in Iraq were pushing for the lifting of the ban in Iraq to enable majority of them that haven’t been home for seven years to go home and spent Christmas here.

Despite the ban, many companies were still able to send to Iraq, OFWs who are holder of tourist visa from Dubai. - Sun-Star

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