Still no ban on worker deployments to Iraq

The Philippine government will not yet ban the deployment of Filipino workers to Iraq in spite of the supposed risks involved.

Ramon Tionloc Jr., deputy administrator of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), told reporters yesterday that there is still no recommendation for a total ban on deployment to Iraq because the country’s security situation is still being assessed.

He said that the POEA still allows contractors to hire Filipino workers for Iraq but the numbers actually hired are not significant.

Tionloc said that around 20 to 50 Filipino workers have been hired for Iraq recently by some 10 companies that provide personnel for the American bases.

The deployment is limited to areas which the Philippine government deems safe.

But Tionloc said that he has also told contractors to go slow on the deployment, particularly in areas "feared to be in danger because of fighting."

For his part, special envoy to the Middle East Roy Cimatu said that Filipinos situated inside three big camps in Iraq are relatively safe from attacks by terrorists or militants.

He based his assessment on the belief that attacks could not be carried out inside the camps.

He said that terrorists and militants in Iraq are capable of three types of attacks, namely mortar, roadside and suicide bombings.