Manila: The Philippines government is poised to defer a ban on sending workers to 41 countries amid concerns aired by various sectors that the restriction would have far-ranging implications.
Experts said a ban on sending Filipino workers to 41 countries would not just affect the country's labour export regime, but will also strain diplomatic relations with several countries, including security and trade allies such as India.
According to Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Raul Hernandez, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has requested the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to defer the implementation of its Board Resolution No7.
The board directive contains a roster of 41 countries which do not comply with the Philippine government's parameters for the protection of migrant workers as stipulated under the Migrant Workers' Act or Republic Act 10022.
Engagement
According to Hernandez, the implementation of the ban had been deferred for a period of 90 days during which the DFA will "revisit" the countries identified under the ban and engage them on the matter.
He said that DFA officials can discuss possible labour arrangements that will give more protection to Filipinos working in certain countries.
The 41 countries are: Afghanistan, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Cambodia, Cayman Islands, Chad, Croatia, Cuba, North Korea, Dominica, East Timor/Timor Leste, Eritrea, Haiti, India, Iraq, Kyrgzstan/Kyrgyz Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Montenegro, Mozambique, Nauru, Nepal, Niger, Pakistan, Palestine, Serbia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sudan, Swaziland, Tajikistan, Tonga, Turks and Caicos, Tuvalu, US Virgin Islands, Vanuatu and Zimbabwe.
According to Hernandez, the Philippines is approaching this issue with caution so as not to disrupt "friendly" relations with the concerned countries and prevent a situation where Filipino workers would be susceptible to backlash from these countries.
