NEWS RELEASE

2 November 2015

Government okays limited deployment of OFWs to South Sudan

The POEA Governing Board has allowed the processing of contracts and deployment of Filipino workers but only for those employed by a Japanese company in a construction project in South Sudan.

Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac said the Governing Board approved the partial lifting of the deployment ban to Sudan upon recommendation of the Department of Foreign Affairs permitting the deployment of newly-hired and returning OFWs employed by Dai Nippon Construction for deployment solely to Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)-funded projects of the Nile River Bridge and the implementation of Water Supply System in the African country.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has informed the DFA of the intention to resume its projects in South Sudan after it determined that the security situation has stabilized under the Government of the Republic of South Sudan and the United Nations in the Republic of South Sudan has confirmed that it has its own safety plans for its employees in that country.

Cacdac said the deployment was allowed on the condition that the employers assume responsibility for the timely and safe evacuation of Filipino employees should the security situation demands the same.

The Philippine Government has earlier allowed personnel of international organizations such as the Norwegian Refugee, Council. Save the Children, and the Non-Violent Peace Force to return to South Sudan which is currently under Crisis Alert Level 3 based on the same prerequisite.

The POEA Governing Board has reinstated in 24 December 2013 the total deployment ban on South Sudan based on Crisis Alert Level 3 re-imposed by DFA due to deteriorating peace and order conditions brought about by continuing ethnic violence in the said country. /END

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