Labor Secretary Marianito Roque said on Sunday that the Philippines is not interested in deploying domestic workers to Lebanon despite the reported work opportunities in that country.

“Unless they can afford a $400 wage increase and their mechanisms are improved, I cannot allow our house helpers to work there,’’ Roque said, following reactions to reports that there are employment opportunities in Lebanon and that the country prefers Filipino workers.

Roque said that Lebanon has just concluded a successful election last June 7 and is yet to organize its government.

Last month, talks between the Philippines and Lebanon on OFW protection did not push through because the host country was not able to send a panel to Manila.

The resumption of the talks in Manila in July was approved by both panels because it cannot agree on several provisions in the MoA, including the proposed minimum salary of US$400 for household helpers during its meeting in Bahrain last March and April.

“There can be no panel if there is no government,’’ said Roque.

“Right now, we are in a status quo. We’re waiting for them to react to the agreement.’’

Roque also reacted to reports there are many jobs available in that country. “The volume is not that big. Pero karamihan ng job openings doon ay sa mga hotels,'' he told the Bulletin.

Earlier, Honorary Consul of Lebanon to the Philippines, H.E Joseph Assad disclosed that some 10,000 jobs are open for Filipino workers but noted the deployment ban hinders them from grabbing these chances.

He said many of these job openings are in construction companies, hotels, restaurants and offices.

Assad appealed to Philippine authorities to lift the ban so that Filipino workers who want to work in Lebanon can take advantage of the job openings.

President Arroyo had previously ordered the lifting of the ban on the recommendation of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that political situation in Lebanon has become stable following its successful polls last June.

But Roque maintained that the ban will only be lifted until after the MoA is signed by both countries.

One of the salient proposals of the MOA is to increase the minimum salary of workers from currently $300 to $400.