Baldoz said there is no need yet to send a DOLE augmentation team to Libya, but said the DOLE is ready to send one to assist the POLO if that is necessary.
"Our OFWs in Libya are high-skilled and this affords them protection. Based on our experience, OFWs in Libya are highly aware of their situation and this makes it easier for the government to deal with security and protection issues concerning them," she said.
Nevertheless, she urged OFWs in Libya to be calm and take extra-precautionary measures to ensure their welfare and safety.
Only last 23 May, the POEA Governing Board issued Resolution No. 7 Series of 2014 imposing a processing and deployment ban for newly-hired workers for Libya, following the official advice of the DFA that raised the security alert level in that country from Alert Level 1 to Alert Level 2.
Based on POEA deployment records, total deployment of new-hires to Libya increased from 281 in 2012 to 4,093 in 2013. In terms of deployment, Libya has an almost equal number of professional workers, technical and related workers, production and transport equipment workers, and laborers.
Total re-hires (balik-manggagawa) and new-hires in Libya as of end of 2013 is placed at 9,754, assuming that the re-hires who entered in 2013 have still live contracts.
(Source: POEA)
