MANILA, Philippines –The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has placed 15 countries on a watch list because of the unrest that may affect overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Four countries – Yemen, Algeria, Oman, and Bahrain – are in the “cause for concern” category.

Eleven countries – Tunisia, Egypt, Iran, Lebanon, Morocco, Jordan, Syria, Qatar, Kuwait, UAE, and Saudi Arabia – are “for careful monitoring,” according to the DFA.

DFA spokesperson Ed Malaya said Philippine posts in these countries are now on alert, and contingency plans will be implemented should conditions worsen.

He added that OFWs’ assembly points, evacuation routes, exit points, and relocation sites have been identified in case of an evacuation.

These assembly points include embassies, Philippine schools, Catholic churches, and Filipino Community Association offices.

Malaya added that the DFA is studying a plan to form a formal organization similar to the National Disaster Disk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) that will handle international crises involving Filipinos overseas.

He said the DFA may lead the group, along with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the Middle East has the largest labor market for OFWs.

She added that it will be a serious problem if the crisis in Libya spreads to other countries.

More than 2.3 million OFWs in the region, particularly in Saudi Arabia, which hosts around 1.8 million Filipinos, could lose their livelihood, Baldoz said.

The DOLE chief has met with recruitment agencies and asked them to look for job vacancies in other countries outside the Middle East.

She said many multinational companies are operating in Europe and other regions.

Those who want to stay in the country can get skills retraining through government programs, Baldoz added.

OFWs can also get help through livelihood assistance programs if they want to start a business, she said. – Report from Jing Castañeda, ABS-CBN News