Philippine labour office in Dubai to begin ‘By Appointment Policy’
POLODXB has been atending to 700 OFWS a day since the easing of Covid-19-induced travel requirements and travel fare decrease since March 2022
The Philippine Overseas Labour Office in Dubai (POLODXB) which, from 2020, has restricted client entry in observance of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic health protocols, shall strictly adhere to its “By Appointment Policy,” beginning May 4 (Wednesday).
Officials came up with the decision as they had allocated a total of 400 slots per day for the Job Contract Verification (JCV), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) first time/renewal membership and Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) applications, required from all overseas Filipino workers (OFWS) by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).
POEA is an atached agency to the Philippines’ Department of Labour and Employment. It ensures that all OFWS are protected from all forms of labour problems. Thus, the primary requirement of JCV assessments by personnel of the 39 POLOS worldwide. There are 13 POLOS in Asia and Oceania, 15 in the Middle East, seven in Europe and four in the Americas.
From the POLODXB press statement: “Starting (May 4) 2022 onwards, the (POLODXB shall consolidate contract verification and OWWA membership application or renewal as one appointment with 250 appointment slots per day while the OEC has 150 slots per day. Online appointments will be strictly followed. It is also encouraged that OFWS process their documents before their travel date and (POLODXB) shall not issue (OECS) to workers who (had) entered (the) UAE (on visit/tourist visas) and then converted to employment (visas). OFWS can also avail of their OWWA (membership/renewal applications an doe ca pp li cat ions) in the philippines. (POLODXB) reiterates the advisory of the POEA for all workers not to leave the Philippines with (visit or tourist visas) but to undergo the legal channel and have their documents processed with the POEA.”
POLODXB had been atending to 700 OFWS a day since the easing of Covid19-induced travel requirements and travel fare decrease since March 2022. Majority of 700 used to be visit/tourist visa holders seeking JCVS, OWWA memberships and OEC issuance.
The OEC, also known as the exit pass for returning documented OFWS to their respective overseas jobsites, certifies the regularity of their respective recruitment and documentation. It is a proof of their registration with the POEA. This has to be presented to the immigration officer at any airport of exit in the Philippines. Failure to do so may prevent him from leaving the country. Aside from reduced travel tax for spouse and children, the submission of the OEC upon check-in at the departure area, means travel tax and airport terminal fee exemptions amounting to Php550.00 ($10.50/Dhs38.57).
Labour Atache in Dubai and the Northern Emirates John Rio A. Bautista confirmed in a consequent Saturday interview about the May 4 schedule: “No more walk-in clients.”
In a Jcv-related issue, two Filipinos employed in a semi-government institution had informed Gulf Today that they have no job contracts. Bautista stated: “If they cannot present their employment contracts, we can give them the (Master) POEA Standard employment contract to be accomplished and then verified by (POLODXB).” The other documents to be submited are the same requirements from OFWS applying for individual JCVS and which are enumerated at the “Contract Verification for Individual contracts section of the polodxb portal.
The Master POEA Employment Contract had yet to be transferred to the Contract Verification for Individual Contracts Section, from the Agency Hire Section of the POLODXB portal, as of 11:57 a.m. on Saturday.
A Facebook post four days back of the snake-like queue circling the periphery of the POLODXB in Al Qusais was shared with Batibot Press Club members on Thursday evening. Somebody commented that it should have been Labour and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III that has been hashtagged and not Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. This reporter had observed the influx of walk-in clients in Nov. 2021 and a fortnight back. The security guard with a copy of the confirmed online appointments allowed entry to this group. He advised those without prior appointments to apply online. On April 24 (Sunday), a Filipino with no prior appointment but wanted to take chances passed on to this reporter a photograph with a sigh remark of the long queue outside the POLODXB that morning.