Migration expert Manny Geslani warned yesterday that the looming withdrawal of the United States from its bases in Iraq could spell unemployment for hundreds of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
Geslani estimated that around 400 to 500 OFWs employed in US bases in Iraq could be adversely affected by the shutdown.
The affected OFWs are primarily employed by international contractor Kellogg, Brown and Root, tasked by the US Department of Defense with various duties including base maintenance, logistics, catering, housekeeping, motorpool operations, and clerical work, as reported by Geslani.
These OFWs have been serving in US bases in Iraq since 2011, following a request by the Iraqi government for US and NATO military presence to counter the threat posed by the Islamic terror group Daesh.
Geslani cited ongoing talks between the Iraqi and US governments regarding the timeline for the closure of the bases.
Many of the OFWs in Iraq had previously worked in US bases in Afghanistan but lost their jobs when former US President Barack Obama ordered the withdrawal of troops from the region, Geslani noted.
Once the shutdown timetable is finalized, Geslani anticipates that OFWs employed in the US bases will begin returning home.
Currently, there are over 4,000 Filipinos residing in Iraq, with a significant number married to Iraqi nationals. Despite the situation, the Philippine government maintains its ban on OFW deployment to Iraq.