Recruiters vs new ‘low-skilled’ OFW category

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

MANILA, Philippines—Licensed recruiters have expressed strong opposition against the new classification of “low- and semi-skilled” overseas Filipino workers, arguing that the series of series of orders of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration would deter employment of OFWs.

The POEA imposed the additional requirements for the deployment of female OFWs in 33 job categories (except to Canada) and of male OFWs in 11 job types (to Bahrain) with consulting them, said the recruiters under the umbrella organization of the Federated Associations of Manpower Exporters (Fame).

POEA’s new classification, which is aimed at strengthening protection mechanism for OFWs, is contained in Memorandum Circular 5 and 6, dated June 15. The new rules provide that the deployment of OFWs hired under this expanded category will not be processed until the individual employment contracts are verified by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office and authenticated by the Philippine embassy in the host country.

The recruitment industry is already over-regulated, “strangulating the sector with more rules that are not conducive to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s thrust to create more jobs abroad, said federation president Eduardo Mahiya.

“What is the use of all these marketing missions which the President herself attends if after coming home, we, the direct providers of overseas employment opportunities are prevented from deploying more?” he asked.

The recruiters also bewailed the lack of a transition period, especially for job orders already in the pipeline. They said those renewing their job orders would also be affected.

“The MCs were issued last June 15 and implemented right away (July 1). It was formulated without due consultation, and there is not even a transition period to allow the stakeholders to prepare,” he said.

The new rules would result in a maze of forms and certifications from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (Owwa), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda), labor attaches, valid visas/work permits, individual employment contracts, said recruitment consultant Emmanuel Geslani.


These would frustrate foreign recruitment offices, especially in the Middle East, 40 percent of whose deployment are under these categories, he said, foreseeing a massive drop in deployment starting the third quarter of 2009.