Ban on deployment of OFWs to Jordan remains DOLE

MANILA, Philippines – The ban on the deployment of Filipino workers to Jordan remains, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reported yesterday.

Acting Labor Secretary Marianito Roque said that contrary to reports, the Philippine government has not lifted the deployment ban.

“I have not lifted the deployment ban and I have not issued any order that would allow Filipinos to work there at this time,” Roque said in an interview.

Roque also said there is no ongoing negotiations between the Philippines and the government of Jordan concerning the lifting of the deployment ban.

While he previously met Jordanian officials, Roque said no agreement was ever reached during the meeting a few months ago.

“They have expressed their desire to visit the Philippines so we could discuss the issue, but it’s hanging until now,” Roque said.

Last January, the Philippine government restricted the deployment of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to Jordan due to rising cases of abuse among Filipino workers there, including non-payment of wages, maltreatment and even rape.

Then Labor Secretary Arturo Brion ordered a partial deployment ban to Jordan upon receiving reports of the increasing number of distressed Filipino workers in the area.

The ban, however,  does not cover Filipinos returning to their previous employers.

Over the weekend, it was reported that the two-month freeze on the employment of Filipino household workers in Jordan was lifted.

“The two sides have agreed on the freeze, but reached an agreement to end it around two or three days ago,” Jordanian Labor Minister Bassem Salem told AFP last Sunday.

Salem also denied the allegations of abuse against Filipino workers.

“The issue had nothing do with abuse claims. It was about a number of domestic helpers who had problems related to their residency, and we tried to help them return to their country.”

“A joint committee has been formed and we have set certain measures for recruitment and to address other issues,” he added.

But Philippine Ambassador Julius D. Torres insisted that “there have been cases of abuse” in Jordan.

“More than 200 Filipino domestic workers have sought shelter at a special center, complaining of abuse by their employers. This is not good,” he told AFP.

Torres also said Filipino household workers are expected to resume work in Jordan by the end of April.

“We will meet again (with the Jordanian side) to put what we have agreed on in writing. I am sure our Labor Ministry in the Philippines will agree to lift the suspension,” Torres said.

He also complained that “some employers let the (work and residency) permits expire and never renew them, so the workers are forced to pay a lot of money because of their overstay.”

“We have agreed to cooperate for the good of the industry and for the benefit of the employers, as well as the workers. We have been promised certain guarantees to remedy the situation,” he added.

The two countries have also agreed that Filipino domestic workers should earn at least $400 a month, instead of the current monthly wage of $150, the ambassador said.

“That’s the general policy of the Philippine government, not only for Jordan,” said Torres.

Some eight million Filipinos, or nearly a tenth of the population, work abroad, including around 15,000 in Jordan. The remittances they send home are a major pillar of the domestic economy.