Law Summary
Restricted Markets Due to Host Country Immigration and Labor Policies
- Certain countries impose restrictive immigration and labor regulations limiting or prohibiting the deployment of OFWs.
- CNMI maintains a moratorium on new guest worker hirings.
- Guam restricts foreign worker entry except in construction and retail sectors.
- Belgium, Luxembourg, Hungary, Poland, and Turkey enforce selective foreign worker admissions, with Turkey allowing some household workers.
- A ban on Filipino au pairs in all European countries remains pending based on an ongoing Department of Foreign Affairs fact-finding study.
Restricted Markets Due to Economic Conditions and Working Environment
- Countries with poor economic conditions and problematic contract situations restrict OFW deployment.
- In Africa, West African countries including Central African Republic, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Senegal, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, and Equatorial Guinea are affected.
- Central American countries generally discourage extensive OFW deployment.
- The Philippines prohibits domestic helper deployment to Palau.
- Only Filipino domestic helpers with authenticated and approved contracts may be deployed to Syria.
Conditions for Exceptional Deployment
- Deployment to countries classified under unstable peace and restrictive policies is only allowed with clearance from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
Legal Authority and Purpose
- The advisory was promulgated by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Administrator.
- It aims to protect the welfare of Filipino workers abroad by restricting deployment to hazardous or unfavorable labor markets.
Summary of Prohibited or Restricted Countries and Areas
- Asia: Afghanistan, Tajikistan, select parts of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan
- Africa: Rwanda, Burundi, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan (except specified areas), West Africa
- Europe: Chechnya (Russian Federation), Belgium, Luxembourg, Hungary, Poland, Turkey, all Europe (au pairs)
- Middle East: Iraq, Syria
- Americas and Trust Territories: CNMI, Guam, Central America, Palau
Monitoring and Updates
- Philippine missions abroad recommend the inclusion or update of the restricted markets list.
- Continuous assessment ensures protection against deployment in risky labor markets.