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Friday, June 09, 2006
RP stops deploying workers to Jordan
THE labor department has suspended the deployment of Filipino domestic helpers to Jordan due to rising cases of sexual abuse and exploitation there.
Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Head Rosalinda Baldoz said Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo both agreed to the suspension pending the resolution of rampant violations of contract committed against Filipino domestic helpers.
Baldoz said the one-month suspension, which started last June 1, will give them enough time to assess the reaction of the Jordanian Government.
Among the reasons for the suspension include: illegal export services at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia), which is the main source of undocumented and unqualified Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) entering Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan; rampant violations of the POEA standard salary of US$200 per month; high incidence of maltreatment of workers; deployment of unfit workers; rising of sex-related cases; and short-term, profit-seeking practices of both the Jordanian and Philippine agencies, which failed to protect the industry.
"However, we will still process job orders verified and authenticated before June 1, 2006 in fairness and as an expression of goodwill to Jordan," said Baldoz.
She said the Philippine Embassy in Amman already requested law enforcement agencies to restrain escort services in the Naia to ensure the positive effects of the suspension. "Time and again, we at the POEA have warned the public about the hazards of dealing with illegal recruiters. The escort service in our premier airport is illegal and workers should not fall into their modus operandi," she added.
She said after the suspension, they will evaluate if they should resume the deployment of Filipino domestic helpers to Jordan.
Meanwhile, Baldoz lifted the suspension orders on 84 recruitment companies for their alleged failure to pay the required P1-million escrow. She said the recruitment firms have paid the cash bond. (MSN/Sunnex)
(June 9, 2006 issue)
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