DOLE imposes total ban on OFW deployment to Afghanistan

The Department of Labor and Employment on Monday imposed a total ban on the deployment of overseas Filipino workers to Afghanistan.

In a statement, DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said this came after the Department of Foreign Affairs placed Afghanistan on Alert Level 3 (voluntary repatriation phase).

Covered by the ban imposed by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration Governing Board are "returning/vacationing overseas Filipino workers bound for Afghanistan."

Afghanistan has been experiencing tension following the presidential elections there last June 14, the DOLE said.

Signing Governing Board Resolution No. 15 were Baldoz as POEA Governing Board chairperson; POEA Administrator and governing board Vice-Chairman Hans Leo Cacdac; and members Felix Oca, Estrelita Hizon, Alexander Asuncion, and Milagros Isabel Cristobal.

Pinoys in Afghanistan

Meanwhile, the DOLE said the deployment ban on new hires for Afghanistan issued on December 17, 2007 is still in effect.

The DOLE cited a letter to Baldoz by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario saying Filipinos are enjoined to return to the country, with the cost of repatriation borne by their respective companies.

Citing data from the Philippine Embassy in Islamabad, the DOLE said there are around 5,250 Filipinos in Afghanistan mostly working for US contractors.

It also cited POEA records in 2013 showing these are mostly production supervisor and general foremen; production workers; machine fitters and assemblers; stock clerks; engineers; transport equipment operators; electrical wiremen and electrical and electronics engineering technicians.

Repatriated OFWs

Meanwhile, Baldoz said repatriated OFWs who want to go back overseas in countries other than their original deployment destination can avail of the government’s employment facilitation service via the POEA’s Manpower Registry Division.

The office is at the ground floor of the POEA Building and headed by officer-in-charge Cora Orticio. It can be reached through telephone numbers (02) 722-1172; 722-1176; and 722-9497.

Meanwhile, Cacdac is setting up a desk at the POEA with a staff to provide re-employment facilitation services, as well as relevant information, to repatriates.

OFW-repatriates with money claims and other legal problems are attended to by the Legal Assistance Division (LAD) under the Anti-Illegal Recruitment Branch headed by Atty. Rose Duquez.

LAD is located at the fourth floor of the POEA Building along Ortigas Avenue in Mandaluyong City and can be reached through telephone number (02) 722-1189. —Joel Locsin/KBK, GMA News

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