POEA imposes total deployment ban on OFWs to Libya
Citing the "worsening security situation" in Libya, Philippine labor officials on Friday announced a total ban on the deployment of overseas Filipino workers to the conflict-ridden African nation.
The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration's Governing Board issued Resolution No. 8 imposing the ban, following the recommendation of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
"We have received a communication from the DFA Secretary on the new crisis alert level in Libya. Thus, the Governing Board decided to impose a total deployment ban on the processing and deployment of all OFWs bound for that country," said Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, who chairs the POEA Governing Board.
Signing the resolution were Baldoz, POEA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac, the board vice chairman, and governing board members Felix Oca, Estrelita Hizon, Alexander Asuncion, and Milagros Isabel Cristobal.
Crisis alert level 3
The DFA on Thursday raised the crisis alert level status for Libya from Level 2 (Restriction Phase) to Level 3 (Voluntary Repatriation Phase). Under Alert Level 3, Filipinos staying in a country are encouraged to leave voluntarily soonest, with the Philippine government shouldering the repatriation cost.
Libya has been plunged into turmoil since its 2011 uprising ended Muammar Gaddafi's one-man rule.
Many Libyans have grown frustrated with the government and parliament's failure to contain Islamist fighters and other militias who took part in rebellion and who have since openly defied the authorities to demand more oil wealth and power.
Earlier this week, heavy fighting involving anti-aircraft machine guns mounted on trucks broke out near an army camp in Tajoura, an eastern suburb. At least two people from Mali died in the fighting, according to a Reuters report.
Last May 23, the POEA Governing Board issued Resolution No. 7 imposing a processing and deployment ban for newly-hired workers for Libya. At the time, the DFA raised the security alert level in Libya from Alert Level 1 to Level 2.
No need for augmentation team for now
At least for now, Baldoz said there is no need to send a DOLE augmentation team to Libya, though she said her department is ready to send one if needed.
"Our OFWs in Libya are high-skilled and this affords them protection. Based on our experience, OFWs in Libya are highly aware of their situation and this makes it easier for the government to deal with security and protection issues concerning them," she said.
On the other hand, she urged OFWs in Libya to be calm and take extra precautionary measures for their welfare and safety.
Citing POEA deployment records, the DOLE said the deployment of new hires to Libya increased from 281 in 2012 to 4,093 in 2013.
It added Libya has an almost equal number of professional workers, technical and related workers, production and transport equipment workers, and laborers.
"Total re-hires (balik-manggagawa) and new-hires in Libya as of end of 2013 is placed at 9,754, assuming that the re-hires who entered in 2013 have still live contracts," it said. —Joel Locsin/KBK, GMA News
The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration's Governing Board issued Resolution No. 8 imposing the ban, following the recommendation of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
"We have received a communication from the DFA Secretary on the new crisis alert level in Libya. Thus, the Governing Board decided to impose a total deployment ban on the processing and deployment of all OFWs bound for that country," said Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, who chairs the POEA Governing Board.
Signing the resolution were Baldoz, POEA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac, the board vice chairman, and governing board members Felix Oca, Estrelita Hizon, Alexander Asuncion, and Milagros Isabel Cristobal.
Crisis alert level 3
The DFA on Thursday raised the crisis alert level status for Libya from Level 2 (Restriction Phase) to Level 3 (Voluntary Repatriation Phase). Under Alert Level 3, Filipinos staying in a country are encouraged to leave voluntarily soonest, with the Philippine government shouldering the repatriation cost.
Libya has been plunged into turmoil since its 2011 uprising ended Muammar Gaddafi's one-man rule.
Many Libyans have grown frustrated with the government and parliament's failure to contain Islamist fighters and other militias who took part in rebellion and who have since openly defied the authorities to demand more oil wealth and power.
Earlier this week, heavy fighting involving anti-aircraft machine guns mounted on trucks broke out near an army camp in Tajoura, an eastern suburb. At least two people from Mali died in the fighting, according to a Reuters report.
Last May 23, the POEA Governing Board issued Resolution No. 7 imposing a processing and deployment ban for newly-hired workers for Libya. At the time, the DFA raised the security alert level in Libya from Alert Level 1 to Level 2.
No need for augmentation team for now
At least for now, Baldoz said there is no need to send a DOLE augmentation team to Libya, though she said her department is ready to send one if needed.
"Our OFWs in Libya are high-skilled and this affords them protection. Based on our experience, OFWs in Libya are highly aware of their situation and this makes it easier for the government to deal with security and protection issues concerning them," she said.
On the other hand, she urged OFWs in Libya to be calm and take extra precautionary measures for their welfare and safety.
Citing POEA deployment records, the DOLE said the deployment of new hires to Libya increased from 281 in 2012 to 4,093 in 2013.
It added Libya has an almost equal number of professional workers, technical and related workers, production and transport equipment workers, and laborers.
"Total re-hires (balik-manggagawa) and new-hires in Libya as of end of 2013 is placed at 9,754, assuming that the re-hires who entered in 2013 have still live contracts," it said. —Joel Locsin/KBK, GMA News
Comments