OFWs in US bases in Afghanistan, Iraq can work beyond Dec. 31

FILIPINO workers in United States military facilities in Afghanistan and Iraq can continue working beyond December 31 this year after the US Military's Central Command received the Philippines' official endorsement.

All contractors in the two military facilities, American or otherwise, have been informed of the Philippines' decision, an official communication sent by the US Military's Central Command said.

"All overseas Filipino workers with existing contracts in Afghanistan and Iraq and working on American military camps and facilities are permitted to complete their respective employment contracts, and there is no 31 December 2011 repatriation deadline applicable to these personnel," said the memorandum dated September 8.

The letter would be effective “immediately”.

With the order, the memorandum now authorizes US and international contractors to approve letters of authority (LOAs) for Filipino workers beyond the imposed deadline.

Besides being allowed to stay in Afghanistan and Iraq, Filipino workers can also go home for Christmas, Emmanuel Geslani, who heads the group, Filipinos in Afghanistan, said.

“Hundreds if not thousands of Filipinos are expected to come home for Christmas for a very much delayed reunion with their families and return to Iraq and Afghanistan as fully-documented workers,” noted Geslani, who is also a recruitment consultant.

An estimated 5,000 and 2,000 Filipinos are working in Afghanistan and Iraq, respectively. (AMN/Sunnex)