Deployment of Returning Workers to EVD Countries

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POEA Governing Board No. 01: Deployment of Returning Workers to EVD Countries

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Title Source: Supreme Court: Deployment of Returning Workers to EVD Countries

Law: Poea Governing Board No. 01

Decision Date: Jan 22, 2015

The POEA Governing Board Resolution No. 01, s. 2015 permits the processing and deployment of returning Filipino workers from UN-related organizations to Ebola-affected countries Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea, contingent upon compliance with specific health and safety requirements.

Initial Deployment Suspension Due to Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)

POEA Governing Board Resolution No. 14, Series of 2014 (July 4, 2014) issued a temporary suspension on the processing and deployment of newly-hired Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
Processing and deployment of vacationing or returning workers to these countries were still allowed, considering the spread of EVD.

Total Deployment Ban Following EVD Escalation

Due to worsening conditions, POEA Governing Board Resolution No. 28, Series of 2014 (December 8, 2014) imposed a total deployment ban on all OFWs bound for Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
Filipinos already in these countries were instructed to return to the Philippines.

Mandatory Quarantine and Alert Level Mandated by DFA

DFA recommended maintaining a 21-day mandatory quarantine for returning OFWs from the three affected countries.
Alert Level 3 status was to be maintained for Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea, reflecting high risk.

Exception for UN-Related and International NGO/Civil Society Organization Workers

Despite the deployment ban, DFA recommended allowing deployment of Filipinos working with UN-related organizations or international NGOs/civil society organizations to these countries.
Conditions include:
- Execution of a statement by the worker acknowledging return against government advice.
- Issuance of an undertaking by the employer/agency/organization to assume responsibility for treatment and repatriation if the worker is infected.

Resolution to Allow Processing and Deployment for Returning Workers

The POEA Governing Board resolved to allow processing and deployment of returning workers employed by UN-related organizations or international NGOs/civil society organizations bound for the three EVD-affected countries.
Compliance with the stated requirements is mandatory.

Signatories and Implementation

The resolution was adopted on January 22, 2015, in Manila.
Signed by the Secretary of Labor and Employment and Chairperson of the Governing Board, the Vice-Chairman, and other Board members.
The resolution provides a legal framework balancing public health concerns with operational needs of international organizations employing Filipino workers in EVD-affected areas.

END