The secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Marianito Roque contradicted the report that the ban on the deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to Jordan has been lifted

The DOLE secretary stressed that lifting of the deployment ban to Jordan is not even part of the plan of Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and DOLE.

This is in response to an earlier story by the Jordan Times quoting Amjad Weshah, recruitment director of Jordan’s labor ministry claiming that that the Philippine government had removed the ban imposed last January.

According to the Jordan Times’ story, Weshah learned the lifting of the ban through Philippine Ambassador to Jordan, Julius Torres. It also states that the Philippine government removed the deployment ban on condition that employment contracts would have to be approved by the embassy and the minimum monthly salary of OFWs is set at USD 400.

However, Roque empasized that OFWs are still not allowed to look for job opportunities in Jordan. According to Roque, “The report about the lifting of the ban “definitely did not come from us. I have not signed any decision yet to lift it."

Asked if it is possible that the decision came from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the acting labor chief said it should have at least informed him out of courtesy.

The increase in reports of abused OFWs in Jordan urges DOLE to order a partial deployment ban in the said country. POEA Chief Rosalinda Baldoz said that the government agency has stopped the processing of work permits for Jordan since January 22.The deployment ban does not cover Filipinos retuning to their previous employers. For inquiries, contact POEA at 722-1144 0r 722-1155.

The indefinite ban in the deployment of new workers to Jordan was implemented last January 21 due to the increase in reports of abused OFWs in Jordan. POEA Chief Rosalinda Baldoz said that the government agency has stopped the processing of work permits for Jordan since January 22.The deployment ban does not cover Filipinos retuning to their previous employers.