Despite deployment ban, DoLE notes rising cases of abused OFWs in Jordan

The number of undocumented overseas Filipino workers in Jordan continues to increase, according to the Department of Labor and Employment.

Citing a report from Labor Attache Henry Parel in Amman, Labor Secretary Arturo Brion said that out of the 236 OFWs who are staying temporarily at the Filipino Workers Resource Centers (FWRCs) in the Jordan capital last month, about 180 were undocumented and only 55 have appropriate travel and working papers.

In December 2007, there were 170 undocumented Filipinos who sought refuge at the FWRC, also known as Bahay Kalinga, mostly household workers.

As the number of OFWs entering and working in Jordan illegally continues to rise, Brion renewed his appeal to Filipino job applicants to make sure they are properly documented before leaving the country.

“I appeal once again to workers to check first with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration the existence of job orders in Dubai and other places abroad for any offer they may get from agencies and not to leave the country without proper documents," he said.

Brion, through the POEA, suspended the deployment of OFWs to Jordan last month due to rising cases of distressed OFWs.

In 2007, a total of 775 documented and undocumented distressed OFWs were assisted by the POLO in Amman, including repatriation to the Philippines and extending medical assistance to them.

Brion said the suspension in the deployment of domestic workers to Jordan should serve as warning to unscrupulous individuals and agencies against deployment without proper documents such as job contracts and work visa.

“The suspension means that no OFW is allowed to work in Jordan as an HSW," he said.

The deployment ban in Jordan only covers the newly hired OFWs since returning workers which don’t have problems with their employers are allowed to return to Jordan and complete their contract.

Brion also warned Filipino workers from dealing with agencies offering assistance to those who aim for jobs in Dubai without the necessary employment contracts.

He said workers seeking employment with only tourist visas are putting themselves at great risk even in top destinations like Dubai.

“Undocumented workers are more vulnerable to abuse and exploitation since there are no contracts to bind their employers with responsibilities and corresponding liabilities that usually go with legitimate employment contracts," Brion said.


In 1990, DoLE suspended the deployment of OFWs in Jordan due to high incidence of maltreatment and exploitation committed against Filipino domestic helpers.

However, in 2005, DoLE through then Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas, ordered the lifting of the deployment ban with the opening of a Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Amman and the implementation of a “special work contract" which provides for a liberal welfare provisions for the foreign household service workers. - GMANews.TV

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