The Philippines’ temporary suspension on the deployment of overseas Filipino workers to Oman has ended after both countries discussed the mutual lifting of the travel and deployment ban.
Last week, the Philippine government through POEA, has imposed a temporary suspension on the deployment of OFWs to Oman after the latter included Filipinos and travelers from the Philippines in its travel ban.
According to POEA Administrator Bernard Olalia, the Oman government has agreed to lift the travel ban on the Philippines during a zoom meeting between Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III and Oman Ambassador Munther Mahfoodh Salem Al-Mantheri and hosted by the President’s Special Envoy to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Member States, Dr. Amable R. Aguiluz V
“Oman government clarified it was not their intention na harangin pagpasok or entry ng mga OFWs at Filipino travelers sa Oman,” Olalia said Tuesday.
On the other hand, Bello said that when the ban is lifted, the Philippines will also lift its temporary suspension on OFW deployment to Oman.
Bello also reported that “At the end of the meeting last Monday, “We signed an agreement. Ambassador Al-Mantheri promised to talk to his government to lift the ban. Maybe when the ban is lifted, we will also lift the suspension.”
The signing was witnessed by Special Envoy Aguiluz who also expressed confidence that the Omani government will act swiftly and favorably as in 2004, Oman’s Foreign Minister, who was then undersecretary for Foreign Affairs, Sayyid Badr Al Busaidi, also supported our appeal to lift the ban against OFWs desiring to work in Oman,
Attendees in the Zoom Mtg
June 21, 2021
In photo
DOLE
1. Secretary Silvestre Bello III
2. Usec. Claro Arellano, Legal and Overseas Operations Cluster
3. Dir. Alice Visperas, International Labor Affairs Bureau
4. POEA Admin Bernard Olalia
Oman Embassy
5. Ambassador Munther Mahfood Al Mantheri
Special Envoy to GCC
6. Special Envoy Amable R. Aguiluz V
