The government yesterday announced that some Filipino workers forced to leave Libya earlier this year because of fighting to oust Muammar Gaddafi would be allowed to return if they have already secured employment. Labor Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz, upon a recommendation by the Department of Foreign Affairs, said she was allowing “the gradual re-deployment of returning workers in the medical and oil sectors only, subject to proof of existing employment as determined by the POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration).” The Philippines has lowered the alert level in Libya from4 (evacuation/mandatory repatriation enforced in March this year) to 2 (restriction phase), to reflect the current situation in the country. “The lowering of the alert level, and consequently the lifting of the ban, will not cover the deployment to Libya of newly hired [Filipinos],” Baldoz said. “That will be determined at a future date and will be subject to further assessment to satisfy the government that enough guarantees exist to ensure the safety of our OFWs bound for Libya,” she added. The government suspended the processing and deployment of Filipinos to Libya on February 22, 2011 because of heightened political unrest there. Following the installation of a transition government in Libya in October, many Filipinos previously employed in Libya demanded to return. Also, workers still in Libya who wanted to spend their Christmas vacation in the Philippines sought assurance that they would be allowed to go back after their vacation. The labor chief said the workers’ requests were now being addressed. She said workers already employed would need to show letters from employers and appropriate visas. Workers outside the medical and oil industries would be allowed in “at a later time when the Philippine government is satisfied that there are enough safety guarantees for them.”