POEA: Deployment ban over new coronavirus variant needs careful study

The reimposition of a temporary overseas deployment ban covering health workers would require careful study, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) chief Bernard Olalia said Thursday, after cases of a new coronavirus variant were detected in several countries.

“Titingnan po natin, gagawa po tayo ng masusing pag-aaral, at hihingin po natin iyong opinion ng ating mga dalubhasa. Magkakaroon po tayo ng malawakang consultation sa lahat po ng involved na sectors doon po sa pagpapadala ng HCWs [healthcare workers] abroad,” Olalia said at the Laging Handa briefing when asked about the possibility of reintroducing the deployment ban.

“[Kung] kinakailangan pong magkaroon muli ng suspension ng deployment natin, temporary suspension, ay gagawin po natin para po sa ikabubuti ng ating mga OFWs [overseas Filipino workers] lalung-lalo na sa kanilang health,” he added.

At present, the government allows 5,000 health workers to take up jobs abroad each year amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

This policy came after President Rodrigo Duterte eased overseas employment restrictions for nurses and other medical professionals last November.

Malacañang said at the time the lifting of the deployment ban was in line with the government’s policy of promoting full employment, rising standard of living, and improving the quality of life for all.—AOL, GMA News