April 3, 2009
Solon Chides Arroyo for Lifting Deployment Ban to Lebanon and Jordan

BY BULATLAT

A progressive legislator chided President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for her ‘haste in deploying overseas Filipino workers to war-torn Lebanon and Jordan.

On Wednesday, Arroyo, through Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, announced the lifting of the deployment ban to Lebanon and Jordan.

Gabriela Women’s Party Representative Luzviminda Ilagan described the move as “like sending cannon fodder.” Ilagan said, “The two countries are problematic areas for OFWs’ welfare and safety.”

Ilagan added, “Lifting the ban is giving the green light to dangerous work assignments which will not address unemployment but will even exacerbate the perils faced by migrant workers.”

There are about 30,000 OFWs in Lebanon and about 18,000 in Jordan who are working as domestic and construction workers. Ilagan said there have been persistent reports of physical and verbal abuses, as well as cases of refusal to pay wages of Filipino domestic workers by their employers.

Ilagan said the Arroyo government should create more jobs in the homeland instead of promoting migrant work that has long-term social costs.(Bulatlat.com)