Only to good employers: Salo recommends selective deployment of OFWs to Libya 

Kabayan Party-list Rep. Ron Salo (Rep. Salo's office)

The Kabayan Party-list Rep. Ron Salo-led congressional mission to Libya has recommended for the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to authorize selective deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to the North African nation. 

Specifically, Salo, the chairman of the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs, wants the deployment limited to "Libyan employers known for good labor practices and where security conditions are favorable". 

This, and other recommendations have been forwarded to House Speaker Martin Romualdez, he said. 

The veteran lawmaker said these will also be forwarded to the DMW "to provide inputs in crafting policies and in calibrating the country’s reaponses ans efforts for the protection of OFWs in Libya". 

The Libya trip ran from April 22 to 26. Green-lit by Romualdez, the mission was aimed at assessing the current political and security situation there and exploring the potential lifting of the deployment ban for OFWs. 

As part of the recommendations, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and DMW were asked to "reassess the political and security situation in Libya to more accurately reflect current conditions". 

Salo is also asking the two agencies to explore possibilities to negotiate the reduction or elimination of fees charged to OFWs. 

To enhance support for OFWs, the DMW was also asked to consider the creation of a dedicated migrant workers office (MWO) in Libya. 

Along this line, a possible bilateral labor agreement with Libya was also pitched to the DMW. 
 

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"Concerns were raised about Filipinos entering Libya via 'third-country' or ‘back-door’ methods, highlighting the need for a regulated employment process," read a statement from Salo. 

At any rate, he said "Libyan officials expressed a high regard for Filipino workers, noting their contributions in the healthcare, oil and gas, and education sectors". 

"There is a clear demand for more Filipino professionals in Libya," noted the Kabayan lawmaker. 

"OFWs in Libya have appealed to the delegation to facilitate the lifting of the deployment ban," he said.