Surge in direct hires delays OFW deployment

Due to delay in release of government- issued clearance, many overseas Filipino workers ( OFWs) employed as “direct hires” are unable to leave the country.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III yesterday admitted the sudden surge in the number of direct hires seeking mandatory clearance from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has caused delays in the deployment of directly hired OFWs.

Bello, however, said DOLE and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration ( POEA) have adopted measures to address the delay in deployment of direct hires or those workers who found an overseas job without the assistance of recruitment agencies.

Bello said he met with concerned DOLE and POEA officials and directed them to fast-track the system.

“I have told them not to forget that we have a 72-hour policy, they have to take action – deny it or approve the application during that period,” he said.

“Sometimes the problem is applicants buy the ticket before getting the clearance so they are under pressure to secure the clearance,” Bello explained. Bello said the government allows direct hiring of workers who are secured and would be treated rightfully by their employers.

The government bans direct hiring, but the POEA allows it among certain categories of workers, such as the diplomatic corps and international organizations, as well as professionals with duly authenticated contracts.

However, the POEA requires direct hires, including professionals and household service workers to secure clearance from the DOLE.

In an advisory, POEA officer- incharge Aristodes Ruaro said clearance from DOLE shall be a basic requirement for the processing of documents of workers directly hired by employers abroad.

Ruaro said the POEA started last Nov. 3 the full implementation of the POEA revised rules and regulations.

To avoid delay, Ru a road vised overseas job applicants not to confirm flight booking and departure until DOLE clearance and overseas employment certificate have been issued.

To secure clearance from DOLE, domestic helpers are required to first undergo pre- departure orientation seminar, comprehensive pre-departure evaluation program and to secure national certificate from TESDA and medical examination.

Labor Undersecretary Do min ad or Say said purchase of airlines ticket must be the last step to be done by direct hires.

Aside from the surge in number of applicants, Say said the delay in issuance of clearance was due to insufficient documents submitted by the aspirant OFWs.

He said DOLE had to reject some of the applications because they are not qualified as direct hires.