Israel requests that the Philippine government ease its deployment ban for overseas Filipino workers as Tel Aviv seeks 5,000 caregivers and hotel staff, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III says.
MANILA, Philippines — The government of Israel has asked the Philippine government to lift its deployment ban for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) as they are seeking 5,000 caregivers and hotel workers, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said Thursday.
Bello said he would only allow the deployment of OFWs once he gets the signal that they will be safe there.
He said he is waiting for the advice of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. and the labor attaché in Israel.
“Hinihingi nila na i-lift ko na ‘yun pero sabi ko naman we have to be very sure if we deploy our OFWs, kailangan sigurado tayo sa kanilang kaligtasan and that is what I’m waiting for,” he said in a Palace briefing.
(They are asking me to lift the ban but I said we have to be very sure that if we deploy our OFWs, their safety and security are guaranteed.)
“The moment na maliwanag na ligtas sa kapahamakan ang ating OFWs. I will immediately issue the order deploying them and they are very much needed. They are asking for 5,000 caregivers and hotel workers,” he added.
The Philippines has suspended the deployment of workers to Israel amid escalating tension and violence in the region.