The Philippines has partially lifted the deployment ban of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to Iraq.
The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Governing Board, through Resolution 9-2021 dated October 21, enabled the OFWs to be deployed again to Iraq. The ban will however continue for newly-hired workers.
“POEA Governing Board resolves to impose a deployment ban on the processing and deployment of newly hired workers and to exempt the documentation of returning workers,” the POEA said.
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The OFWs in Iraq who are looking to have a reunion with their families can return home. The OFWs may also return back to their jobs in Iraq after their vacation following the POEA order.
The returning OFW must be an active worker in Iraq with proof of recent stay in Iraq as well as proof of departure from Iraq or proof of billing.
A proof that the OFW is returning to the same employer or company is also required.
The contract between the OFW and employer must also conform with Philippine and Iraqi labor laws. POEA also mandates that the OFW’s worksite must be outside the identified “No-Go-Zones,” of Anbar, Nineveh, Kirkuk, and Mosul; Sadr City, Baghdad province; Amedi, Erbil province and Mahkmour, Erbil province. (AW)
