POEA requires interview of applicants to risky jobs

WORKERS applying for jobs that are considered potentially vulnerable to exploitation and maltreatment are now required to undergo an interview with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).

In its bid to further guarantee the protection and safety of these Filipino workers, the POEA said they have already included the interview of applicants in its standard procedure on the evaluation of requests for exemption from the policy on direct hiring.

The POEA said in a statement on

Sunday workers who are considered at risk of possible maltreatment include the following: waiter/waitress; wine host/wine hostess; masseuse/ massage therapists; spa therapists; food and beverage attendants; hotel attendants; service/maintenance crew; entertainment workers; and, agricultural workers.

“Such workers are required to undergo an interview by the Preemployment Services Office and/ or the Anti-illegal Recruitment Branch of the POEA upon receipt of the workers’ application for clearance and approval of the Administrator at the Direct Hire Assistance Division. The interview may be held through personal appearance or any online platform available to the worker,” it said.

Under the Labor Code, direct hiring of Filipino workers for overseas employment, except those to be employed by international organizations, members of diplomatic corps, head of state and government officials with the rank of at least deputy minister and other employers as may be allowed by the Secretary of Labor and Employment.

Of the total 23,986 cases reported to Overseas Workers Welfare Administration in the Middle East in 2020, maltreatment and/or mistreatment cases accounted for 25.2 percent or 6,045 cases. Majority or 5,500 of these cases were reported cases of female workers being maltreated or mistreated.