POEA partially lifts ban on OFW deployment to Afghanistan

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Governing Board has issued a resolution partially lifting the ban on the deployment of Filipino overseas workers to Iraq and Afghanistan during a meeting held last September 2, 2011.

According to Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz—who is also the chairman of the POEA Governing Board—Resolution No. 5, s. 2011 was issued upon the recommendation of the Department of Foreign Affairs. “The Board has already directed the POEA to issue an advisory for the information and guidance of all concerned on the matter,” said Secretary Baldoz.

Under the resolution, the POEA now allows those with existing contracts in Iraq and Afghanistan and those working inside American military camps and facilities to finish their contracts. These contracts can also be extended or renewed onsite. Should these OFWs go home to the Philippines before its expiration, they shall also be allowed to be redeployed to finish their contracts.

The resolution partially lifting the ban was unanimously approved by the members of the Board, namely, Leonardo B. de Ocampo, Guillermina T. Gabor, POEA Administrator Carlos S. Cao Jr., and Secretary Baldoz.

The POEA Governing Board, under Resolution No. 8, s. 2007, had suspended the processing and deployment of all workers bound for Iraq and Afghanistan because of the unstable peace and order situation in the said countries.