AFTER over five months, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has partially lifted the deployment ban on overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to Ethiopia.

Based on POEA Governing Board Resolution 03-2022, the Philippines has allowed the resumption of returning OFW deployment in eight regions and independent chartered cities of Ethiopia.

"The POEA Governing Board, in a meeting duly convened, resolves to allow the processing and deployment of returning Filipino workers (Balik-Manggagawa) to the eight regions and independent chartered cities of Ethiopia," said the POEA.

The eight areas include Addis Ababa (independent chartered city); Dire Dawa (independent chartered city); Oromia; Somali; Southern Nations, Nationalities and People's Region; Gambella; Harari; and Southwest Ethiopia People's Region.

OFWs set to be deployed, however, are required to submit some documents to the POEA, particularly valid Ethiopian residence visa and/or working permit; guarantee letter from employers on repatriation (to indicate options), medical assistance, health insurance; and guarantee from the employers, as reflected in the employment contract, or addendum to the agreement that Filipino workers will not be deployed to areas under Alert Level 4.

The POEA said the partial lifting is a result of the lowering of the Alert Level 4 (Mandatory Evacuation Phase) in the said areas to Alert Level 2 (Restriction Phase).

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), on March 2, advised the POEA of the lowering of the alert level in the said areas.

"Under Alert Level 2, the processing and deployment of workers shall be allowed only for OFWs returning to their current employers and are with existing employment contracts," said the POEA.

The POEA, meanwhile, said the ban on the deployment of newly hired OFWs will be maintained under Alert Level 2.

The POEA also said that the total deployment ban of all OFWs will be maintained in areas under Alert Level 4, particularly in the regions of Tigray, Afar, Amhara, and Benishangul-Gumuz.

It was back in November 2021 when the POEA imposed a total ban on the deployment of all OFWs bound for Ethiopia.

The imposition was due to the then escalating conflict between the Tigray People's Liberation Front and the Federal Government of Ethiopia. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)