Philippines suspends OFW deployment to Oman

The Philippine government has suspended the deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to Oman amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said Friday.

"Yes, a POEA Board Resolution was issued  suspending deployment of our workers to Oman," Bello said in a phone interview with GMA News Online, referring to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.

Bello said such move was done based on the recommendation of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) after Oman banned entry of travelers from the Philippines.

"Last Monday, we received such referral from the DFA. They informed us that the Oman government came up with an order banning entry of Filipino travelers and even those travelers who passed through the Philippines," Bello said.

"As such, the DFA recommended to us to suspend our deployment to Oman," he added.  —KBK, GMA News