DFA warns vs. online announcements of Iraq job offers

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday warned against online announcements for job offers in Iraq, and reminded the public that the deployment ban to the Middle Eastern country is still in effect.

These job vacancy announcements, the DFA said, claimed that the existing deployment ban issued by the Philippine Overseas Employment (POEA) to Iraq has been lifted.

“POEA Governing Board Resolution No. 6, s. 2018, which suspends the deployment of newly hired workers bound for Iraq and the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, remains in effect,” DFA said in a statement.

“Furthermore, household workers who are already based in Iraq are also banned from returning to Iraq should they go on vacation to the Philippines,” it added.

The DFA warned all Filipino travelers that Iraq imposes strict penalties for not having proper and updated visas.

“Filipinos who are temporarily vacationing in Iraq or are residing and working before the deployment ban are advised to take note of their visa validity dates,” DFA noted.

The department also listed red flags in overseas job offers that job seekers must be on alert for:

• when applicants travel using a tourist visa or visit visa with recruiters promising to issue a worker’s visa upon arrival in Iraq;
• when applicants do not possess their own identification documents such as IDs or passports;
• when passports are confiscated;
• when applicants are advised to inform authorities that they are just visiting a particular city, like Dubai, Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok;
• when applicants are advised of particular immigration lanes to choose or given nonverbal cues to look out for during departure from Clark Airport or the Ninoy Aquino International Airport;
• when the agency has no permanent address; and
• when agents do not reveal their full names and contact details.

“The public is also advised to comply with pre-departure formalities being implemented by Philippine immigration authorities,” the department said.

“These formalities are intended to ensure the safety of Filipino travelers and prevent the occurrence of illegal recruitment, people smuggling, and human trafficking cases.” — Joviland Rita/BM, GMA News