Philippines allows partial OFW deployment to Ethiopia

MANILA, Philippines — The government has partially lifted the ban on the deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to Ethiopia.

In a governing board resolution, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) announced the resumption of the deployment of returning OFWs to eight regions and independent chartered cities in Ethiopia.

After the alert level in Ethiopia was lowered from 4 to 2, the POEA allowed the deployment of Filipino workers to Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa, Oromia, Somali, Southern Nations, Nationalities and People’s Region, Gambella, Harari and Southwest Ethiopia People’s Region.

“Under Alert Level 2, the processing and deployment of workers will be allowed only for OFWs with existing employment contracts,” the POEA said.

A total ban on the deployment of OFWs remains in areas under Alert Level 4.

Jobs in Germany

Meanwhile, the Philippine government is negotiating agreements for the employment of Filipino workers in Germany, the Department of Labor and Employment said yesterday.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III expressed optimism that the agreements would be finalized before President Duterte’s term ends.

“The labor agreements mark a significant milestone in the history of Philippine-German bilateral relations,” he said.