(Eagle News)– The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Wednesday (June 7) partially lifted the deployment ban of Filipino workers to Qatar after receiving reports that the situation in the Arab country has normalized.
“Late last night I had a conversation with our labor attache based in Doha, Qatar and he informed that initially there were incidents of panic buying but after two or three hours the situation has normalized,” DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III said during an emergency press conference.
“He informed me that as of 1 a.m. today (Wednesday), the situation in Qatar has normalized,” Bello added.
Bello noted that the suspension will now only cover OFWs who are still processing their overseas employment certificates (OECs).
Those who have OECs–whether returning to Qatar or as new employees–will be allowed to depart.
Bello said this situation will be in effect until the DOLE has completed its assessment of the status in the Arab country.
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Bello said the changes in the suspension order were made upon the recommendation of the crisis committee, based on updates from their Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Qatar.
“They decided to lift the temporary moratorium or suspension of OFWs in Qatar, particularly for balik-manggagawa and those with OEC (overseas employment certificate),” Bello added.
On Tuesday, the DOLE suspended the deployment of OFWs to Qatar due to the impending food shortage stemming from the decision of several Arab countries to cut ties with the Arab country.
Saudi Arabia and several of its allies accused Qatar of supporting terrorists.