Philippine Labor Secretary Clarifies Charges for Injured OFWs, Reiterates Deployment Ban to Iraq

The Philippine government has clarified that injured overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) repatriated from Iraq due to terrorist attacks will not be charged for violating the government's deployment ban. Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas assured that the government will extend assistance to the workers, but only those who are documented and registered with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) are entitled to benefits.

Key Takeaways:

• The Philippine government will not charge injured OFWs for violating the deployment ban to Iraq, despite the ban's indefinite nature.
• Only one of the five injured OFWs is documented, while the remaining four are undocumented, and therefore not entitled to government benefits.
• The labor chief, Patricia Sto. Tomas, has no idea where the issue of charging the workers originated, and suspects it may have been due to media misquoting or misinterpreting her statement.
• The government's deployment ban to Iraq was imposed in July 2004, after terrorists threatened to behead OFW Angelo dela Cruz, who was later released after the Philippine government agreed to pull out its troops from Iraq.
• Despite the risks, many OFWs continue to sneak out to work in Iraq, showcasing their dedication to earning a living.
• The Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Baghdad is coordinating with local authorities to ensure the welfare of OFWs in the war-torn country.

Statistics:

• The indefinite deployment ban to Iraq was imposed in July 2004.
• Five OFWs were injured in a terrorist attack in Iraq on April 16.
• Only one of the five injured OFWs is documented.
• The government has extended assistance to the injured workers.
• The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) provides benefits to documented OFWs.

Sources:

• Asia Pulse, April 19 - Philippine Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas Drives the News: the OFW Issue

(PNA) 19-04 1921