Upon the recommendation of the various Philippine missions abroad, the following markets have been included in the updated list of restricted markets or countries where deployment of OFWs is prohibited, either totally or for particular skill categories only, due to:

I. Unstable Peace and Order Situation in the Country

Asia

 

- Afghanistan
- Tajikistan, select areas of Kyrgyztan and Uzbekistan

Africa

 

- Great Lakes Region (Rwanda and Burundi)
- Liberia
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- Sudan (except Khartoum and the Kenana Sugar Plantation in the White Nile)

Europe

 

- Chechnya Republic Russian Federation

Middle East

 

- Iraq

II. Restrictive Immigration and Labor Policies of Host Country

Americas and Trust Territories

 

- CNMI
  The present moratorium on the new hiring of guest workers is still in effect.

 

- Guam
  Guam adopts restrictive labor policies on the entry of foreign workers except for the construction and retail business sectors.

Europe

 

- Belgium and Luxembourg
- Hungary and Poland
- Turkey
  The Philippine Embassy in Ankara reported that the Turkish government now allows selective hiring of foreign workers, not only by diplomats and expatriates but also Turkish nationals themselves. Among the types of workers allowed are the household workers.

 

- All European countries
  The ban for au pairs stays pending the result of the fact-finding study by the Department of Foreign Affairs

III. Economic Situation and Working Conditions

Africa

 

- West Africa (Central African Republic, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Senegal, Guinea, Guinea Bissau and Equatorial Guinea)

Direct employment offers should not be entertained due to contract related problems.

Americas and Trust Territories

 

- Central America
  Because of the economic situation in Central America, Post in Mexico does not recommend extensive deployment of OFWs to these countries.

 

- Palau
  The Philippine government presently prohibits the employment of domestic helpers to Palau.

Middle East

 

- Syria
  The Philippine Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon has reiterated that only Filipino domestic helpers with employment contracts authenticated by the Philippine Embassy in Lebanon and approved by the POEA shall be allowed to leave for Syria.

Under exceptional circumstances, deployment of workers to countries classified under I and II is allowed provided there is clearance from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

For information and guidance.

Adopted: 30 March 2005

(SGD.) ROSALINDA DIMAPILIS-BALDOZ
Administrator