POEA board discusses DFA request to delay deployment ban

Members of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Board met Friday night to discuss the row over its ban on the deployment of overseas Filipino workers to 41 countries. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the meeting took up the request of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to defer the ban so it can dialogue with the affected countries. “Last night I think the POEA Board met to discuss the request of the DFA to defer the ban (but) I’m not clear ano naging decision ng POEA (but I’m not clear on what the POEA Board decided)," he said on government-run dzRB radio. Department of Labor and Employment secretary Rosalinda Baldoz chairs the POEA’s governing board. POEA administrator Carlos Cao Jr. is the board’s vice chairman. Lacierda said it was “understandable" that both the DFA and DOLE are concerned with the plight of Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in countries that do not provide adequate protection. Earlier this week, the POEA announced a ban on the deployment of OFWs to 41 countries that it said lack guarantees for the welfare of OFWs. Unless deferred, the ban will take effect by the end of the November. But the DFA sought to at least delay the implementation of the ban so it can prevent any possible backlash. “We want to make sure, the DFA may advocacy, we know the importance of maintaining good relations with other countries but also making sure our OCWs (overseas contract workers) are amply protected in those areas," Lacierda said. 11 countries concerned On the other hand, Lacierda hinted the ban may raise concerns in only 11 of the 41 countries. “Sa 41 may international companies where OCWs are hired and they observe these protection measures in favor of OCWs (In some of the 41 countries where OCWs are hired, there are international companies that observe the protection measures in favor of the OCWs)," he said. “That’s why we need a better handle on clarifications... That’s why the DFA wanted to defer it, to discuss it with the embassies here or the countries abroad on protecting our OCWs and at the same time maintaining good relations with other countries," he added. — LBG/HS, GMA News