Select OFWs allowed to return to Libya - Sun.Star

THE Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has allowed the return of some overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to Libya.

The POEA Governing Board issued Resolution No. 9, which permits certain skill categories of OFWs to be allowed to return to Libya, particularly those working off-shore in oil rig platforms, provided that they will not pass through or spend their vacation in mainland Libya and those working for multinational companies,

government hospitals and schools as well as for the Libyan National Oil Company.

"The POEA Governing Board, in a meeting duly convened, resolves as it is hereby resolved, to allow the processing and deployment of the following skill categories of returning workers to Libya," the resolution read.

However, the POEA is requiring the submission of the following documents: POLO-verified employer contingency plan for the evacuation and repatriation of the workers; and POLO-verified employer undertaking guaranteeing the safety of the workers during their stay in Libya, and readiness to immediately repatriate as circumstances may require and at no cost to the worker.

The undertaking shall clearly state the exact location of the work site, before their Overseas Employment Certificates will be processed, to ensure the safety and well-being of OFWs.

Likewise, those employed by diplomats, foreign embassies, missions and international organizations in Libya and Filipinos who are married to Libyan nationals are allowed to go back to Libya.

POEA Administrator Hans Cacdac said the resolution was issued upon the recommendation of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to exempt some OFWs from the total deployment ban to Libya.

He noted that the foregoing exceptions to the deployment ban may be withdrawn based on an imposition of Alert Level 4 or reimposition of a total deployment ban under Alert Level 3 as recommended by the DFA.

"The POEA shall closely coordinate with the DFA for continuous monitoring and updates with respect to the political and security situation in Libya, which will include identification of dangerous areas or "no-go zones" as may be deemed necessary," he said.

On May 29, the DFA raised the security Alert Level in Libya to Alert Level 3 (Voluntary Repatriation Phase) following the escalating civil unrest in the country.

The following day, the POEA through Governing Board Resolution No. 08, Series of 2014 imposed a total deployment ban on the processing and deployment of all OFWs bound for Libya.

There are some 13,000 OFWs in Libya based on government data. (FP/Sunnex)

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