US orders pullout of all Pinoy workers in Iraq

The following questions/suggestions as posed to us by Director Ellen Sana. While it maybe true that there is a real threat in Iraq, must US pull our workers out there? This is again another case of generalization - as what happened in the travel ban imposed by the then GMA led government to Nigeria.
Let us all consider and take a stand being a part of the OFWs around the globe.
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----- Forwarded Message ----
From: ellene sana
To: pinoy-abroad forum ; cma
Sent: Mon, July 26, 2010 11:11:29 AM
Subject: US orders pullout of all Pinoy workers in Iraq

what do we suggest government should do in this case?
consider these?

i) RP government should conduct its own assessment of the situation in iraq through the dfa and other agencies...
ii) RP to hold talks with US on this ASAP! this is a must!

a) for government lift the travel ban to iraq completely, asap?
b) should it impose selective deployment on the basis of a set of criteria?
c) or, we let the US send home our workers, some 15,000 of them? pauwiin na lang, but with a package of benefits?
d) rp government to dialogue with US and ask for moratorium on the pull out order? and then what?
e) how about the contractors finding new job placements for the workers instead of repatriating them back home?
f) none of the above ????

what do you think?

US orders pullout of all Pinoy workers in Iraq
By Dindo Amparo, ABS-CBN Middle East News Bureau Chief
Posted at 07/26/2010 5:21 PM | Updated as of 07/26/2010 5:21 PM

Thousands of Filipino workers in Iraq are on the brink of losing their
jobs after the US government ordered all its military contractors to
send home expatriate workers whose country imposes a travel ban in
Iraq.

The deadline for expatriation is August 9.

In a memorandum issued by the United States Central Command last July
20, Colonel Richard Nolan, senior contracting officer of the Iraw
CentCom Contracting Command said: "All contractors in Iraq have 20
days from the date of this letter to ensure their employees comply
with US and international law and understood their redeployment
responsibilities under the term of their contract."

The memo added: "It is the contractor's responsibility to ensure that
it is not employing people from countries prohibited from entry to
Iraq."

The decision of the US Central Command was also triggered by reports
that some expatriate workers including Filipinos were abandoned by
their contractors in various camps throughout Iraq, raising concerns
about violations committed by various contractors including hiring
workers from countries that have imposed travel and work restrictions.

The Philippines and Nepal are among those mentioned among countries
whose nationals were able to enter and work in Iraq despite the travel
ban imposed by their host governments.

Most Filipino workers were hired directly by agency contractors
operating in neighboring countries like the United Arab Emirates,
Kuwait, Jordan and others.

A Filipina in Iraq, who requested anonymity, said she and fellow
Filipino workers are deeply saddened by the US government's decision
to strictly enforce the "no entry to Iraq" policy of various
governments including the Philippines.

She said most Filipinos in Iraq are earning relatively well, with the
average minimum wage pegged at $800 per month. She added that the
peace and order situation in Iraq has greatly improved and working
inside US military camps is relatively safe.

They appealed to President Benigno Aquino to immediately send
Philippine representatives to Iraq to avert the upcoming forced
deportation of thousands of Filipino workers in that country.

The labor department said about 10,000 Filipinos are working in Iraq
as of last year despite a travel ban. Iraq's Charge D'Affaires Adel
Mawlood Hamoudi al-Hakimh said the number has already risen to 15,000.