MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) has ordered a partial ban on the processing and deployment of newly hired overseas Filipino workers (OFW) bound for Bahrain as anti-government demonstrations in that Middle East country turned violent. However, the ban does not cover vacationing OFWs, who intend to return to Bahrain.
Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz made the statement Wednesday in a one-page memorandum addressed to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) after the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) raised the alert level in Bahrain to No. 2.
Despite the escalating crisis, Malacañang said there is no need yet for a compulsory repatriation of OFWs in Bahrain, but Filipinos who wish to leave the Arab state would have to shoulder their own expenses. Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said those who opt for voluntary repatriation will be assisted on their travel documents.
“Pursuant to the 15 March, 2011 travel advisory issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs raising from Alert Level 1 to Alert Level 2 the security situation in Bahrain, you are hereby instructed to immediately effect the deferment in the processing and deployment of all Newly Hired Workers to Bahrain,” she said.
However, Baldoz said OFWs who have an existing contract in Bahrain may choose to return to the Middle East country if they will present an affidavit noting they are aware of the risks.
“The ban will not cover returning workers (Balik-Mangagawa) who will be allowed to travel back to Bahrain provided they execute an affidavit that they know the security risk in the country but nevertheless voluntarily resumes employment in Bahrain,” she said.
The POEA said there are about 14, 277 deployed OFWs in Bahrain as of November last year.
Tension in Bahrain escalated after its government declared a state of emergency last Tuesday, which led to the crackdown on the rising number of demonstrations.
Meanwhile, migrants group Migrante-Middle East Coordinator John Monterona urged the government to provide better local job opportunities to Filipinos so they will no longer go abroad, where they will be exposed to risk of abuse or political turmoil, just to find high-paying jobs.
“The Aquino government must seriously focus on local jobs creation, jobs that offer decent pay and fair employment package so that OFWs will be encourage to work back in the homeland,” he said.
Samuel Medenilla & Madel Sabater, Manila Bulletin
