Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 27) — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) maintained that the deployment ban for newly hired workers bound for Saudi Arabia is not yet lifted, contrary to a new order released by Migrant Workers Secretary Abadullah Mama-o.
The labor chief said that all agencies will maintain a status quo in terms of their daily operations.
“The Secretary of the Department of Migrant Workers cannot impose any policy over the POEA and the POLOs,” Bello said.
“The verification of employment documents for new hires bound for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia shall remain suspended,” the memorandum stated.
The labor department insisted that the Migrant Workers Department is not yet fully constituted until the three enabling conditions have been fulfilled under Republic Act No. 11641.
The conditions are the following:
— Approved and effective Implementing Rules and Regulations
— Approved staffing pattern
— Approved budget under the 2023 General Appropriations Act
On April 25, Migrant Workers Chief Mama-o announced the lifting of the deployment ban to Saudi Arabia.
“I hereby completely lift the instruction to temporarily suspend the verification of new hires of domestic workers to Saudi Arabia,” Mama-o said.
In his department order, Mama-o said that only DOLE was not inclined to lift the suspension of the processing of documents.
Mama-o added that the continuing suspension could jeopardize the entire labor market in the Gulf Cooperation Council areas composed of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE and Oman.
“The national interest and the interests of OFWs as well as the recruitment industry would best be served,” Mama-o said.
In a memorandum released on Tuesday, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello said that all labor offices abroad and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) are still under the direct supervision of the DOLE.
