POEA bans deployment of newly hired OFWs to Libya



Tags: Libya
Philippine labor officials on Friday suspended the deployment of newly hired overseas Filipino workers to Libya, citing the deteriorating political and security situation there.
 
The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration said the Department of Foreign Affairs has already declared Crisis Alert Level 2 for Libya.
 
Alert Level 2 involves a restriction phase that requires Filipinos in the country concerned to "restrict non-essential movements, avoid public places, and prepare for evacuation, if necessary."
 
"We are working closely with the DFA in monitoring the situation in Libya. I have instructed the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Tripoli to constantly keep in touch with the Filipino community in Libya and apprise them of the situation," DOLE Secretary and POEA Governing Board head Rosalinda Baldoz said.
 
In the meantime, she urged Filipinos in Libya to stay calm, exercise precaution, and remain vigilant.
 
POEA records show 8,852 OFWs were deployed to Libya in 2013. Most are nurses, engineers, laborers and helpers, welders and flame cutters, and wiremen.
 
Signing the resolution imposing the temporary deployment ban were acting DOLE Secretary Rebecca Chato, and POEA governing board members Felix Oca, Estrelita Hizon, Alexander Asuncion, and Milagros Isabel Cristobal.
 
Baldoz, who as DOLE secretary chairs the POEA governing board, and POEA administrator Hans Leo Cacdac, the governing board vice chairman, are on official business.
 
The DOLE in a statement said DFA Secretary Albert del Rosario wrote Baldoz and informed her that the crisis alert level for Libya was raised due to the continued deterioration of the political and security situation there.
 
The department added that an armed revolt in Libya started last Friday when General Khalifa Hifter called for a new presidential council to take over until the next parliament elections.
 
Last Sunday, armed militias stormed the parliament building in Tripoli and the legislature was declared suspended. —Joel Locsin/NB/KBK, GMA News

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