OFWs seeking work in Canada should review requirements--DoLE

By Margaux Ortiz
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Posted date: May 20, 2008

MANILA, Philippines -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) advised Filipinos wanting to work in Canada as caregivers to ensure that their prospective employers fulfill all conditions required by the government agency before signing any contract with them.

Labor Secretary Marianito Roque said overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) should make sure that their Canadian employers comply with conditions requiring them to provide for the workers' medical coverage and two-way transportation to and from Canada.

“Employers and agencies wanting to hire Filipino caregivers are also prohibited from collecting recruitment fees,” Roque said.

Roque explained that the caregiver could only be terminated for a just cause. In case of work-related death, the employer is also responsible for the repatriation of the worker's remains.

Roque issued the advice following reports from Filipino Labor Attaché Frank Luna at the Philippine Consular Office in Toronto who received queries from employers and agencies in Canada on conditions for the employment of Filipino caregivers.

He said the reform package on the employment and deployment of Filipino household service workers (HSW) promulgated by the DoLE in late 2006 provided for the rules in hiring Filipino caregivers.

The policy reforms, Roque said, reflected the requirements of Service Canada from employers contracting for the services of foreign temporary workers under the expanded labor market opinion (ELMO) in two Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Alberta.

Under the ELMO program, Canadian employers shall cover all recruitment costs including transportation of foreign caregivers to and from Canada. The employers are also being required to pay for medical coverage until the caregiver is eligible for provincial health insurance coverage.

“These requirements should warn OFWs and workers against individuals and agencies offering them caregiving jobs in Canada without necessarily complying with the requirements,” Roque said.

He particularly warned OFWs already outside of the Philippines seeking caregiving jobs in Canada.

“Agencies targeting Filipino caregivers already abroad fleeced their victims as much as $7,000 in placement fees in addition to transport and other processing costs for caregiving jobs in Canada,” Roque said.

He explained, “Agencies prefer offshore workers to avoid strict processing rules in Manila.”