44 jobs join maids in ‘low-skilled’ category

POEA tightens deployment control of OFWs

By Veronica Uy
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 16:48:00 07/06/2009

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration has expanded the category of “low/semi skilled” to include 44 overseas jobs, effectively tightening its control over overseas Filipino workers leaving for these types of work abroad.

Low- and semi-skilled OFWs, which used to mean only household service workers, are required to have their individual contracts verified by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in the receiving country before POEA could process their departure.

POEA Memorandum Circular 5, dated June 15 this year, is meant to “strengthen the protection mechanism” for OFWs in this category.

The POEA order classifies as low- and semi-skilled the following jobs for female workers all over the world except for Canada:

Aerobic instructress, attendants (gasoline station, food), baker, beader/embroiderer/dressmaker/sewer/cutter/seamstress, hairdresser/hairstylist/nail technician, cashier, chambermaid, checker, clerk, cook, customer service assistant, dishwasher, flower arranger/florist, guest relations officer/receptionist, helper,

Janitress/cleaner, kitchen helper, laundrywoman, masseuse/reflexologist, merchandiser, poultry worker, printer/canvasser, public work worker, restaurant worker/amusement park worker, sales representative, saleslady/supermarket worker, sandwich maker/sweet maker/coffee or tea maker, secretary, service crew, skin care specialist, storekeeper, telephone operator, and waitress.

The same POEA order makes the same classification for the following jobs for male workers to Bahrain:

Bartender, butcher, carpenter, liaison officer, machine operator, mason, master cutter, painter, plumber, room boy, and tailor.

Another POEA order, Memorandum Circular 6, specifies the procedures for verifying and registering the employer, for approving job orders, and for documenting those in the category of low- and semi-skilled.

Memorandum Circular 6 also lists the requirements for the processing and issuance of POEA exit clearance for this type of OFWs: request for processing; accomplished information sheet; verified individual employment contract; valid employment visa/work permit; PDOS (pre-departure orientation seminar) certificate; National Certificate II from TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority); and language orientation certificate from the OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration).

Recruiters are opposed to the order, saying this would slow down the deployment of workers under this category.