The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has issued a warning against announcements made online of job offers in Iraq, adding that deployment ban is still in place.
The announcements state that the existing deployment ban issued by the Philippine Overseas Employment (POEA) to Iraq has been lifted.
“POEA Governing Board Resolution No. 6, s. 2018, which suspends the deployment of newly hired workers bound for Iraq and the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, remains in effect,” the DFA said in a statement.
“Furthermore, household workers who are already based in Iraq are also banned from returning to Iraq should they go on vacation to the Philippines,” the agency added.
– Filipino travelers are also reminded that Iraq has strict penalties in place for those who do not have proper and updated visas.
– Filipinos who receive or encounter job offers abroad are also reminded of the early warning signs of human trafficking, namely:
– When applicants travel use a tourist visa or visit visa with recruiters promising to issue a worker’s visa upon arrival in Iraq;
– Applicants travel using a tourist visa or visit visa with recruiters promising to issue a worker’s visa upon arrival in Iraq;
– Applicants do not possess their own identification documents such as IDs or passports;
– Passports are confiscated;
– Applicants are advised to inform authorities that they are just visiting a particular city, like Dubai, Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok;
– Applicants are advised of particular immigration lanes to choose or given nonverbal cues to lookout for during departure from Clark Airport or the Ninoy Aquino International Airport;
– Agency has no permanent address;
– Agents do not reveal their full names and contact details.
– The public is also advised to comply with pre-departure formalities that are implemented by immigration authorities.
“These formalities are intended to ensure the safety of Filipino travelers and prevent the occurrence of illegal recruitment, people smuggling, and human trafficking cases,” the agency said.
