Pullout of OFWs in Iraq by August 9 ordered by US
By August 9 this year at least 6,000 overseas Filipino workers hired by US contractors to work in military camps in war-torn Iraq are expected to come home following the United States military order to return in time for its own pullout.
US Air Force Colonel Richard Nolan of Central Command’s Contracting Command stated in a memorandum dated July 20, that contractors who hired people from countries which does not allow work and travel to Iraq must return them home. He pointed out that eight such people were left behind by their employers in Iraq.
“This letter serves notice that all contractors operating in Iraq have 20 days from the date of this letter to ensure their employees comply with US and international law and understand their redeployment responsibilities under the terms of their contract,” said Nolan, senior contracting officer in Iraq.
He added that all the camps in Iraq where the foreign workers are assigned will undergo inspection after the 20-day period expires as part of being compliant. Violators may be bloked from future US government contracts.
Meanwhile, Nepal was also included by Nolan as among those that ban travel and work to Iraq.
In seperate news, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Esteban Conejos welcomed the US military order which matches the July 2004 Philippine travel ban to Iraq. The Philippines has enforced the ban after Iraqi militants abducted OFWs Angelo Dela Cruz and Robert Tarongoy, leading to political backlash in the Philippines.
“We’ve always asked [US and other countries] to respect our ban. We have always asked them to please help us because delikado nga sa Iraq (it’s dangerous in Iraq). They’ve never been heeded until now, when they’re winding down their operations,” he said.
Article source: Inquirer
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