POEA Plans to Revise Recruitment Rules

Monday, December 15, 2008

There are rules and procedures involved in the process of recruiting and sending Filipino workers overseas. This is necessary considering the fact that what our country is exporting is its greatest asset - the human resources. However, there maybe some rules that are not significant and are just delaying the process.

For this reason, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) will review recruitment rules with the aim to simplify the process. This is in response to the complaints of recruiters that the government agency has “too many requirements.”

Jennifer Manalili, POEA Administrator, said, "We are looking at streamlining the requirements for the recruiters, who complain that there are too many requirements."

The review of POEA rules would also include review the standard contract used as basis of outbound overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).The current sample contract are criticized to be unconstitutional as it defy the Labor Code and international laws.

The sample contract was created to meet the terms of Middle Eastern countries and complies with its traditions that forbid joining and forming labor unions.
Uni-Philippine Labor Council, a global union said that the POEA should make a "more formal policy statement…assuring us that the Philippine government will insist upon the right of Filipino overseas workers to form or join unions." Roland Librojo of the Uni-PLC added, "And the Philippine government should be called to account for its anti-union labor migration policy."

The POEA aims to complete the review before the year ends. Manalili guarantees that the new sample contract would protect the welfare of OFWs all over the world. The POEA head said, "There is an ongoing review of POEA rules and contracts dependent on these rules, both for land-based and sea-based [deployment]." Manalili added that the review would try to match the rules for land-based and sea-based OFWs, and put them under one book.
She said, "Right now we have separate rules for land-base and sea-based workers; medyo magulo [it's a little messy]. Maybe we can revert to having one set of rules with separate chapters on land-based and sea-based [deployment]."

Source: http://www.ofwguide.com/article_item.php?articleid=1024

Outbound OFWs Advised to Secure Their Exit Clearances Early

Friday, November 14, 2008

Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) set to go on a vacation to the Philippines this December are advised by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to secure their exit clearances early. They can do this by going to the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in their respective host countries before their flight back to the Philippines.

By taking care of their exit clearances even before arriving to the Philippines, they don’t need to go the POEA office in Ortigas to get clearances when it is time for them to return to their host county. It will also prevent long lines and crowds at the POEA so the OFWs and the government agency are spared of the holiday hassle.

According to Jennifer Jardin-Manalili, POEA Administrator Jennifer Jardin-Manalili long lines at the Balik-Manggagawa Processing Center has long been a common sight at the POEA office after the holiday season.
OFWs that are going back to their provinces may get their exit clearance in POEA offices located in Clark Field in Pampanga and the cities of Baguio, Tuguegarao, San Fernando in La Union, Calamba, Legazpi, Tacloban, Iloilo, Bacolod, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga, and Davao.

Manalili also said OFWs could use the overseas employment certificate courier system available at their website (http://www.poea.gov.ph).

All POEA offices will remain open on December 22, 23, 24, 26, and 29; and January 9, 2009, which are considered as peak days.

Source: http://www.ofwguide.com/article_item.php?articleid=1015

Serving OFWs: Philippine Overseas Employment Administration

Sunday, October 26, 2008

In an ordinary afternoon along EDSA corner Ortigas Avenue, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) is packed with hundreds of busy applicants going in and out of the old Blas F. Ople Building. This must be one of the busiest places in Manila where you can find the never-ending growth in number of many Filipinos aspiring to work abroad. These Filipinos believe that working abroad is the only solution, if not one of other promising solutions they can they can think of, that will give way to the realization of their goals.

Many have said that they have decided to work abroad for the sake of their family. They are even much aware of the many sacrifices that come with it. Some have given other reasons of working abroad such as poor local economy, loss of faith in the government, and personal dreams, however, these reasons always lead down to its primary concern - that is financial.

Whatever reasons these Filipinos may have, it is undeniably true that the role of POEA is very significant to the realization of their goals. POEA was established in 1982 as an attached agency of the Department of Labor and Employment. It is mandated to manage the migration of many Filipino workers. It provides various services for employment and welfare, adjudication and employment regulation, and management services for all Filipino workers applying abroad.

POEA is expanding the grassroots tri-media outreach of public orientation and education on the risks and rewards of overseas employment. One of these is the consistent campaign against illegal recruitment.

The quarterly publication of list of licensed recruitment agencies in the Philippines is part of POEA's Anti-Illegal Recruitment Campaign. It is free of charge and is available from the information lobby of POEA. The list includes the complete information of each agency along with its contact person and contact numbers. It also provides OFW Advisory related to jobs abroad, prospect employers, and bits of OFW stories.

The growing number of Filipinos working abroad poses a big challenge to POEA as it cannot easily scale fast to meet growing demands including efficient services and facilities. Still the office is continuously doing its duty for the benefit of Filipinos workers abroad.

How to get to POEA

To get to POEA, if you are coming from Katipunan, you can take either MRT or a bus going to EDSA. However, if you are coming from the south, you can take a bus going to Cubao and get off at Robinson’s Galleria.

Source: http://blog.kabayanhotel.com.ph/search/label/philippine%20overseas%20employment%20administration

EDI-SBII : Breakfast Meeting

Monday, September 8, 2008

"Meeting of the Titans"

EDI-Staffbuilders International Inc. sets another ground breaking event for this year. Last June 11 & 18, 2008 at the Red Restaurant, Makati, Shangri-la, all the Hospitality Management Deans of prestigious universities, prominent culinary institutions and well-known hospitality associations were gathered for a breakfast meeting to foster alliance. The objective was to introduce the pathway for students' success once they graduate from the academe.

The program commenced with the opening remarks by the Project Manager of the Hospitality Services Group of EDI-SBII, Ms. Emma A. Martinez. The forum discussion highlighted the event. It opened the door for different ideas on how the industry of international recruitment and learning institutes shall merge and assist the graduates to make their future productive and successful. They also tackled the challenges that the schools are presently facing. Mr. Cesar A. Averia Jr., President and CEO of EDI-SBII suggested possible solutions to those problems and how EDI-SBII shall contribute to ensure future success of the young graduates. The meeting of the minds gave new learnings that both industries could share and possibly use to uplift the international standards of the hospitality industry.

The top Universities, Culinary Institutions and Hospitality Associations who participated the meeting are as follows: San Sebastian College- Recolletos (SSC-R), Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM), Centro Escolar University-Malolos (CEU Malolos), Arellano University (AU), Asian College of Science & Technology (ACSAT, QC), International School for Culinary Arts & Hotel Management (ISCAHM), Center for Culinary Arts (CCA), Academy of International Culinary Arts (AICA), De Lasalle College of St. Benilde (CSB), Lyceum of the Philippines, St. Scholastica's College, Manila (SSC), University of Sto. Tomas (UST), PATTS College of Aeronautics, Trinity University of Asia (TUA), De Lasalle University- Dasmarinas, American Hospitality Academy of the Phlippines (AHAP), Council of Hotel and Restaurant Association Educators of the Philippines (COHREP), Hotel and Restaurant Association of the Philippines (HRAP).

As the gathering comes to an end, both industries assured that this is just the beginning of a fruitful and meaningful partnership towards the success of everyone.