QuestionsQuestions (POEA ADVISORY NO. 10, S. 2004)
The advisory addresses the cross-border mobility and deployment ban of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to Iraq due to security concerns and recent incidents like the abduction of Filipino workers.
Licensed recruitment agencies are directed to strictly comply with the verified contract terms, specifically the indicated worksite, and to refrain from deploying Filipinos to Iraq if their skills or job require crossing the Iraq border or if recruited for other countries but may end up working in Iraq.
It prohibits deploying Filipinos directly to Iraq using alternative modes of travel to circumvent the ban.
They will face administrative sanctions and criminal charges from the Philippine government.
The recent abduction of a Filipino worker by armed men in Iraq prompted the issuance of the advisory.
A verified contract refers to the employment contract that has been validated and approved by POEA, specifying the country and worksite for the Filipino worker.
Adhering to the specified worksite ensures the safety of Filipino workers and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, preventing unauthorized or dangerous deployment scenarios.
By enforcing deployment bans and compliance with contract terms, it aims to prevent Filipinos from being deployed to high-risk areas like Iraq and avoid exposure to danger such as abduction.
The government can impose administrative sanctions under POEA regulations and pursue criminal charges based on laws penalizing unauthorized recruitment and endangering Filipino workers abroad.