The Part of The World You Cannot find a Filipino; Travel Ban from Philippines to Filipinos

Almost every part of the world there is an OFW.

What is OFW?

• OFW is an acronym for Overseas Filipino Worker. Filipinos who left Philippines to find greener pastures working jobs in just any field.

• OFW earned big compared to working in the Philippines. This earnings is then sent to the family or loved ones as remittance which then helped the country's economy.

• OFW is a program of the government to boost economy and same time to help Filipinos to find jobs elsewhere with better salary and opportunity.
• OFW is a community that have become integral part of the other countries growth and rise as well.

When does OFW start and How it was spread worldwide?

OFW started on 1900, when USA needed the labor for its countries medical, agricultural, commercial and construction projects. Philippines was colonized by US after Spain for more than 40 years, 1898 to 1946.

It then followed during the World War, where Filipinos joined the fight with America being soldiers and nurses. America trained Filipinos for these jobs. The quality of an OFW was made known all over the world and so the demand for an OFW rises. 

In 1974, the late President Ferdinand Marcos has issued the labor code for OFW protection. This guide the Filipinos to their labors and supports OFW needs and complains, the agency of POEA or the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration was made to administrate OFW.

Although demands for OFW rises there are 24 countries that POEA is under total deployment ban or pending deployment ban. 

The reason for the ban may be:

A. Due to conflicts within the country and unstable peace. For protection for OFW wishing to seek work abroad, here is the list for total deployment ban which means all OFW are removed from working on these countries and deployment is banned.

1. Afghanistan
2. Somalia
3. Sudan (except Khartoum and the Kenana Sugar Plantation in the White Nile)
4. Rwanda and Burundi
5. Syria
6. Iraq
7. Yemen
8. Chechnya Republic

B. Temporary or pending deployment ban means that rehires could still get back to their work, but new hires will not be permitted.

1. Libya
2. Ukraine
3. South Sudan
4. Iraqui Kurdistan Region

C. Non-compliant to the Amended Migrant Workers Act or the Republic Act of 10022. 11 countries were not certified by Department of Foreign Affairs are:

1. Afghanistan
2. Chad
3. Cuba
4. North Korea
5. Haiti
6. Mali
7. Mauritania
8. Niger
9. Palestine
10. Somalia
11. Zimbabwe

D. Conditional permission or partial ban. 

1. Palau. It only covers household service workers since they were not given suitable working conditions by the employer

The banning of countries are based on the requirement to obtain certification from DFA. The countries need to comply with these conditions:

1. Has existing labor and social laws.
2. signatory to existing multilateral conventions, declarations
3. resolutions relating to the protection of migrant workers
4. concluded bilateral agreement or arrangement with the government protecting the rights of OFWs
5. taking positive, concrete measures to protect the rights of migrant workers.

It is important for Filipinos wishing to work abroad to look for greener pastures to consider checking into the POEA for proper guidance. 

The Philippine government is responsible for its Filipino workers abroad. There should be no consequence of being an OFW rather than being away from the family.

Filipinos do not venture to unsafe territory for money only.

Categories: Philippine OFW, Pinoy Info