DOLE Secretary Bello suspends processing and issuance of Overseas Employment Certificate to direct-hired OFWs
MANILA, Philippines – Starting Tuesday, April 25, 2017, POEA has suspended the processing and issuance of the Overseas Employment Certificate to directly hired Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
The post in the official Facebook page of Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) said “Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III has ordered the suspension of processing and issuance of Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) for all directly hired Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) starting April 25, 2017 until further orders.”
“All pending applications for OEC as of date were covered by the suspension,” the post further stated.
The post did not elaborate what prompted the agency to release such order.
What is OEC?
The Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) is a requirement under the rules and regulations of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to help ensure that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are properly documented and protected.
The OEC, sometimes also called the “exit pass,” is required to be presented to international ports of exit in the Philippines as proof that the holder is a bona fide OFW. It is thus necessary when a Household Service Worker (HSW), or any OFW, goes back to the Philippines for home leave, if he/she intends to return back to the country of employment. (Source: Embassy of the Philippines – Singapore)
Read: Steps on How to get Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) Online
OEC in the News
GMA News/March 30, 2017: DOLE, pinaiimbestigahan ang POEA dahil sa pag-apruba sa ilang direct hired OFW
TV Patrol/ March 31, 2017: POEA Iimbestigahan ang mga fixer ng direct hire scheme; pag apruba sa OEC, mas hihigpitan
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