OVERSEAS Filipino workers (OFWs) may now be deployed to the Federated States of Micronesia after the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) lifted the deployment ban in the island nation.
Based on Advisory No. 25-2023, the DMW said it is lifting the deployment ban for OFWs in Micronesia, which is located in the Oceania.
"The public is hereby informed that the total ban on the processing and deployment of workers to the Federated States of Micronesia is lifted," said DMW.
"Prior issuances that are inconsistent with this advisory are modified accordingly," it added.
The department said the decision is based on the issuance of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Philippine Consulate General in Agana (Guam, USA) of a Certificate of Compliance for the Federated States of Micronesia.
The Certificate of Compliance guarantees that the rights of foreign workers, as specified under Section 3 of Republic Act (RA) 10022, are met in Micronesia.
"The said country has existing labor and social laws and/or has ratified multilateral conventions related to the protection of migrant workers," said the Certificate of Compliance.
"It has actively taken concrete measures to forge a bilateral labor agreement with the Philippines for the protection of the rights of the OFWs in its territory," it furthered.
Under RA 10022, the DMW shall allow the deployment of OFWs only in countries, where the rights of Filipino migrant workers are protected. <b>(HDT/SunStar Philippines)</b>