Lebanon-based OFWs allowed to return to work

Despite a standing total ban in deploying Filipino workers (OFW) to Lebanon, the government is allowing workers who will be coming home to attend their children’s graduation rites to return to their work in the Middle Eastern republic. OFWs from Lebanon will be allowed to process their documents as balik-manggagawa or returning workers to enable them to witness the graduation ceremonies of their children, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) said in a resolution. The resolution further states that these workers will be issued a temporary Graduation Pass to allow them to return to their employment in Lebanon. The Philippine government has ceased sending workers to the conflict-ridden Lebanon since July 2006 due to unstable peace and order situation at the height of fighting between the Hezbollah and Israeli forces. However, the pass will be issued on two conditions: One, the worker has a valid and existing contract compliant with the minimum salary of $400 for household service workers, and is returning to the same employer in Lebanon; and two, the worker has a confirmed return airline ticket within the period of 2010 graduations. The Graduation Pass will be issued to Lebanon-based OFWs arriving starting March 1 and returning to their employers no later than May 15. “Our OFWs deserve the opportunity to participate in and celebrate ceremonial educational milestones in the lives of their children and to take pride in their hard work and sacrifice which have made such milestones possible," the resolution read. About 6,000 Filipino workers were repatriated from Lebanon when the deployment ban was implemented in 2006. In 2008, POEA records show only 12 documented workers in the country. Data from the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, however, indicate there are over 30,000 documented Filipinos in Lebanon, including permanent, temporary, and irregular residents and workers. Despite the continuing ban, remittances from Lebanon-based OFWs also recorded a whopping 141 percent increase in 2009, up to $12 million from $5 million in 2008. - RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV