DFA Reiterates Warning on Online Job Offers in Iraq

BAGHDAD 10 September 2019 — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reiterates its warning on Filipinos to be wary of announcements of online about job vacancies in Iraq.

In some cases, these online announcements claim that the existing ban on deployment to Iraq has been lifted. On the contrary, Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) Governing Board Resolution No. 6, s. 2018, which suspends the deployment of newly hired workers bound for Iraq and the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, remains in effect. Furthermore, household workers who are already based in Iraq are also banned from returning to Iraq should they go on vacation to the Philippines.

The DFA further warns all Filipino travelers that Iraq imposes hefty penalties for persons without the proper visas or with expired visas. Filipinos who are temporarily vacationing in Iraq or are residing and working before the deployment ban are advised to take note of their visa validity dates.

Filipinos who receive or encounter job offers abroad are also reminded of the early warning signs of human trafficking, namely: applicants travel using a tourist visa or visit visa with recruiters promising to issue a worker’s visa upon arrival in Iraq; applicants do not possess their own identification documents such as IDs or passports; passports are confiscated; applicants are advised to inform authorities that they are just visiting a particular city, like Dubai, Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok; applicants are advised of particular immigration lanes to choose or given nonverbal cues to lookout for during departure from Clark Airport or the Ninoy Aquino International Airport; agency has no permanent address; and agents do not reveal their full names and contact details.

The public is also advised to comply with pre-departure formalities being implemented by Philippine immigration authorities. These formalities are intended to ensure the safety of Filipino travelers and prevent the occurrence of illegal recruitment, people smuggling, and human trafficking cases. END

For more information, visit https://www.baghdadpe.dfa.gov.ph, https://philembassybaghdad.wordpress.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/PHinIraq/.