On the OFW ban to 41 countries

Dear Sec. Rosalinda Dimapilis Baldoz,

This email is concerning the implementation of the resolution for OFWs banned to work in 41 countries. I personally believe that this resolution is not a favor to most of the OFWs and their families. There are so many questions to be raised why this resolution has to be implemented. What is the basis of this resolution? It is for the common good of all OFWs working in these 41 countries and their families? Many of these countries are giving good jobs, paying well & treating Filipinos as highly qualified workers. Take the case here in Khartoum, Sudan. Filipinos here regarded highly by the Sudanese and are respected because of our good education, skills and qualification. There are very few or very isolated cases where Filipinos are maltreated here.

POEA has not thought of how many families will be affected if this resolution will take effect. By the way, why is Saudi Arabia not in the list? Saudi should be No.1 in the list. What about those who have paid for their placement fees, spent for the application in the agencies, spent money to go to Manila just to apply for jobs to these countries? Most of them borrowed money just for the sake of going abroad and earn better.

If POEA’s intention is to have these countries sign the bilateral agreement, I don’t think it is a valid reason. Say for example in India, what if India won’t sign the agreement because they don’t have much interest in Philippines. Then POEA will stop sending OFWs there? India doesn’t care if the Philippines will not send OFWs in India but POEA should think that Filipinos need to work abroad to be better paid and have a job to support their family. It is not about the bilateral agreement’s sake.

Another valid point which POEA should think about, is to approach these 41 countries and set-up a reliable embassy where it can protect the Filipinos! Like here in Khartoum, Sudan there is no Embassy here, and the POEA representatives here, in my opinion, are not doing their job. So is it justifiable to stop sending Filipinos here in Sudan just for that reason?

If POEA is thinking of OFW’s welfare… then don’t send helpers to Saudi Arabia or most Arab countries where they are beaten & maltreated. It is clearly seen from the interview of Carlos Cao Jr. in ABS-CBN news that the concern of POEA is the bilateral agreement… not because of the welfare of most Filipinos.

What about OFWs having good job in these countries. I myself am privileged working here in Sudan - enjoying a vacation every 2 months, with everything provided. Shall I lose my job because of this resolution? It is entirely unfair! I studied hard to be an Engineer to get good paying job & better opportunity then suddenly everything is gone because of this wrong judgment by POEA.

Another consideration POEA should think is that, is the Philippine Government able to provide secure jobs to most Filipinos? My answer is big NO!

I strongly appeal that this resolution & decision be reconsidered and POEA to issue a statement that it is not to be implemented. There is not even an advance notice like 1 year that this will be implemented.

I again remind POEA that you cannot decide the fate of many Filipinos because our government has some other agenda in mind and cannot provide better future for OFWs. When the news was read by many of my fellow OFWs here – they were very upset, very angry and sad to say most of them say “ano na naman tong naisip na kalokohan ng POEA, dapat tulungan tayo sa mabuting paraan tapos ngayon ginagamit pa tayo para sa bilateral agreement at kukunan pa ng trabaho.”

Hoping that our God will enlighten your thoughts and mind not to implement this resolution for the welfare of thousands of OFWs and millions who depend on them for their daily needs.

Thank you.

Concerned OFW (name withheld upon request of letter sender)