Filipino body to blacklist these unscrupulous agents
Published on: Tuesday, December 04, 2018
MANILA : Filipinos in Sabah who are presently employed but yet to register with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) need not worry when going back home for holiday or vacation."This particular group of workers are only required to submit four documentation requirements to POEA before departure clearance will be issued to them," POEA Administrator Atty Bernard Olalia said.He said it will only take a working day for POEA to process the applications of this particular group of Filipino workers if all the required documents are complete.ADVERTISEMENT "We call this particular group of OFWs as Balik-Magagawa (BM) as clearly stipulated under Memorandum Circular No. 06 Series of 2016 of POEA," he said.Olalia said the documents needed are employment contract (verified by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office), valid Work Pass, proof of employment (pay slip and employment certificate), and a valid Philippine passport.The corresponding fees he said are : POEA processing fee Php 100 , OWW membership fee USD 25, Pag-IBIG membership fee Php100 (monthly), and Philhealth membership fee Php2,400 to be paid annually."With submission of these documents together with the payments of the corresponding fees to the relevant departments and agencies , departure clearances will be issued to all applicants without much difficulties," he said.ADVERTISEMENT Hence, the Administrator reiterated that Filipinos in Malaysia particularly those from Sabah need not fear that they will not be able to return on time to their respective employers after a holiday or vacation .In expressing regret and disappointment, Olalia stressed that it is very ridiculous for some Filipino-operated recruitment agents in Sabah to charge a service fee their fellow countrymen of RM3,800 (Php 42,000) for processing POEA requirements.
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He assured that POEA will seriously look and investigate the reported complaint and take the necessary actions against individuals or companies found guilty for such activity.He said POEA will not hesitate to cancel their (Agents) permit including permanently blacklisting them.Furthermore, the Administrator said a POEA legal team will soon visit Sabah to meet and thoroughly explain to the Filipino working community on the procedures, required documents and corresponding fees and other matters.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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"We thank the concerned Filipinos and Daily Express for bringing to our attention the 'exorbitant service fee' issue...rest assured POEA together with our Department of Labor will urgently and seriously address the problem the soonest possible time," Olalia reiterated.Meanwhile, pursuant to Governing Board Resolution No 12,Series of 2016 and in-line with the thrust of the Administration to streamline the processing of documents of OFWs and to address the clamour of Balik-Manggagawa workers to further enhance the online system of processing their exit clearance prior to their return to their employer, the Administrator hereby exempts certain categories of workers from securing Overseas Employment Certificate (QEC) and paying any POEA processing fee. - Nikko Fabian