MANILA, Philippines — Tensions may be escalating in Israel but the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said there is no advice yet for a deployment ban of Filipino workers to the Jewish state.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III in an interview with UNTV on Friday (May 14) explained that though DOLE assures its readiness should circumstances require immediate action, the decision for such depends on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
“We are waiting for the signal coming from the Department of Foreign Affairs pagdating sa ban o kaya sa repatriation,” Bello said.
“Hinihintay natin. Kapag nag Alert Level 3 or 4 na, deployment ban at maaaring force repatriation. Pero sa ngayon, wala pa,” he added.
The DFA is guided by four alert levels in evaluating the threats Filipinos may encounter in their host countries or territories.
These stages include:
Alert Level 1 or the precautionary phase issued when signals or valid signs of internal disturbance, instability, and/or external threat to the host country is evident;
Alert Level 2 or the restriction phase issued if circumstances are life-threatening or there are obvious risks to security, and property of Filipinos as a result of internal disturbance, instability, or external threat;
Alert Level 3 or the voluntary repatriation phase issued when violent uprisings or external aggression occurs in a specific area; and
Alert Level 4 or the mandatory evacuation or repatriation issued once a large-scale internal conflict or full-blown external attack occurs.
To date, Israel is host to around 70,000 OFWs mostly working as caregivers and hotel workers, the Labor Chief said.
He added that the Israeli government is even requesting additional workers, specifically about 5,000 caregivers from the Philippines.
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