The Philippine government is considering placing a restriction on the deployment of Filipino employees to Oman.
According to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, the measure is being considered after rumors that Oman has issued a travel ban to the Philippines.
[Breaking] OFW Deployment Ban on Oman ‘Imminent’ for this Reason
According to a June 7 article in The Times of Oman, “an entry ban against passengers traveling through 15 countries, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Sudan, Egypt, and Tanzania, whose nationals form a significant portion of the country’s expatriate communities, is currently in effect.”
“We received a communication from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and the DFA also recommended to us that we will also declare a deployment ban to Oman,” Bello said in a press conference on June 16, the Manila Bulletin reported.
The labor secretary bemoaned: “Wala namang kasalanan yung ating mga OFWs, bi-nan sila sa Oman? So, sige, kung ayaw mo sa amin, ayaw namin sa ‘yo.”
The labor secretary stated that the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration’s (POEA) governing board will convene to ratify the decision.
“I talked to [POEA] Administrator [Bernard] Olalia and we are having an emergency meeting with the POEA governing board and we will also declare a deployment ban to Oman,” Bello said.
Earlier, the Philippines extended its travel ban on seven countries including Oman until June 30.
READ NEXT: Cost of Living of an OFW in Oman