If you are planning on working overseas, it is important that you have the proper paperwork in order to be registered as an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW). The POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration) is a government agency that is dedicated to protecting the rights of Filipinos working overseas.
Also Read: From POEA Online to DMW Online
Do note, however, that the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration’s main website has been redirected to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). In line with this, the agency’s Facebook page has also been redirected to the DMW’s office. From now on, all the other agencies that regulate the hiring of Filipino workers will be managed by this department. That being said, there are still some functions of the POEA that are still in service as of this writing. Get to know more about them in the following sections.
What is the Meaning of the POEA?
POEA stands for Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.
What is the Purpose of POEA?
The POEA is a federal organisation that is tasked with providing the Department of Labor and Employment with reports on the results of its operations (DOLE). In addition to supervising the employment programme of the country that is carried out in other nations, it is responsible for safeguarding the migrant worker population of the country against unethical and illegal recruitment activities.
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Department of Labor and Employment work together with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to ensure that all Filipinos working abroad have access to social assistance and safety measures (DOLE).
In spite of the fact that they are both overseen by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the OWWA and the POEA approach the completion of the tasks that have been delegated to them in quite different ways.
The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration’s primary objective is to protect the legal standing of Filipino workers who are employed in locations outside of the Philippines. In addition to this, it monitors and encourages people to maintain their occupations within the country where they are now employed. If you are interested in learning more about the organization’s many different services and programmes that it provides, please go to the following sections, as they provide more information on the subjects that are of interest to you, as they are listed below.
Functions and Responsibilities
The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) is the government agency that is in charge of regulating and supervising the employment of Filipino workers in other countries. It is also responsible for promoting and preserving the welfare of Filipino workers who are employed outside of the country.
The POEA is responsible for a variety of tasks and responsibilities, some of which include the licensing and permitting of businesses that are involved in recruitment, the processing and approval of employee deployments, and the monitoring of employer compliance with the terms and conditions of employment contracts.
In addition, the POEA provides its workers with pre-departure orientation lectures as well as help in the event of an emergency.
INDUSTRY REGULATION
The primary objective of the POEA is to ensure that the recruitment practises of staffing firms adhere to all applicable ethical and regulatory standards. The first step in this strategy involves the organisation monitoring job posts from other countries across a variety of media venues. In addition to this, they regulate the industry by defining minimum labour standards, licencing overseas recruitment and manning organisations, offering incentives to private sector players, and penalising parties that do not comply with the regulations.
EMPLOYMENT FACILITATION
Research, monitoring, and development of the market are at the core of the employment facilitation program administered by the POEA. Your legal rights in the workplace will be safeguarded by participating in this programme.
This component provides assistance to the POEA in the process of facilitating programmes such as pre-employment orientations for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), the worker registry system, accreditation of foreign employers, deployment of employees via government-to-government agreement, as well as evaluation and processing of employment contracts.
WORKER’S PROTECTION
One of POEA’s most important initiatives is their Pre-Deployment Orientation Seminars (PDOS). Remember that a PDOS certificate is necessary before deployment. This class, along with pre-employment orientation and anti-illegal recruiting training, prepares you for life as an overseas Filipino worker. They ensure your safety by deploying only to countries and companies that comply with the Amended Migrant Workers Act; providing legal assistance (such as filing, prosecuting, and penalising) to victims of illegal recruitment; mapping and profiling the global OFW population; and providing repatriation assistance.
Assist WELL Program
The Department of Labor and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) have partnered to establish the Assist Well Program, which provides various support services and resources to help repatriated workers.
- Welfare Assistance – Welfare assistance shall cover the following:
- Assistance at the airport
- Emergency housing or lodging for the time being
- Transport aid to residence
- Assistance in Need in the Field of Medicine
- Stress debriefing
- Employment Assistance
- Job placement/ recommendation for local employment
- Placement and referral services for jobs in other countries
- evaluation and certification of a worker’s level of competence for the purpose of satisfying a repatriated worker’s need to verify that they have the skills necessary for employment in a certain workplace. Training in relevant skills will be made available to anyone who is interested in meeting the requirements.
- Livelihood Assistance
- Entrepreneurial development training
- Livelihood skills training
- Mentoring and assistance with practical aspects of running a business
- Help for businesses in the form of loans
- Legal Assistance
- Legal counsel
- Processes of conciliation to provide repatriated workers and the recruitment firms that represented them with a forum in which to discuss the prospect of reaching an equitable conclusion.
- Help with the drafting and filing of complaints about illegal recruitment, recruitment violations, and cases involving disciplinary actions.
- During the preliminary investigation and hearings of criminal cases involving illegal recruitment, counselling is provided to those involved.
GENERAL SERVICES
While the preceding three sections discussed the POEA’s essential tasks, they also provide general administrative services that can assist you become an OFW and make your life easier abroad:
- Human Resource Development
A significant part of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration is the Human Resource Development Division (POEA). The division is in charge of the implementation of a variety of programmes, policies, and actions that boost the labour export programme of the country, notably in terms of the training of manpower, employment opportunities, and promotion.
In accordance with the provisions of Republic Act (RA) No. 8042, also known as the POEA Law, the Division is primarily tasked with the following responsibilities: formulating and implementing a comprehensive and integrated human resource development programme for overseas employment workers; providing incentives to employers who provide on-the-job training opportunities to their employees; promoting trade unionism among overseas Filipino workers; developing linkages with government agencies involved in labour education; providing assistance to private sector organisations.
- Plans and Policy Development
The POEA’s policy and planning sections are in charge of ensuring that all POEA offices have the facilities and materials that are required for them to carry out their duties in an effective manner. Additionally, the GS offers its operating units a variety of support services, such as management information systems and administrative support services, which include assistance with payroll, personnel, and financial issues.
- Information and Communication Technology
One of the General Services that POEA offers is referred to as Information and Communication Technology (ICT). It offers a wide variety of services to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in a variety of categories by means of online applications like as e-Licensing, e-Payment, and e-Authorization.
You can make use of any of these services by merely registering online, which can be done at any time and from any location using a computer or a mobile phone.
- Financial Management
The Financial Management Service (FMS) is responsible for providing the necessary support services for effective financial management of the POEA. This is done in order to guarantee that the agency receives the appropriate amount of funding and that the agency’s funds are used in the most effective manner possible in order to achieve the POEA’s goals and objectives.
In addition, the FMS offers the necessary financial support to guarantee that all POEA procedures are carried out in a timely manner and in an open and honest manner. These procedures include, but are not limited to the following:
- Processing of payrolls (including generation of checks and disbursement vouchers);
- Payroll data entry;
- Payroll reporting;
- Balancing of checkbooks;
- Collection and payment of claims; and
- Audit preparation
- Property and Supplies Management
The POEA’s Property and Supplies Management Section is in charge of the procurement of office supplies, equipment, and other necessary supplies; the maintenance of a fleet of vehicles; and the management of properties leased or owned by POEA. Other responsibilities of this section include the management of properties include the management of properties leased or owned by POEA. Other tasks of this area include the administration of properties, whether they are leased or owned by POEA. Other obligations of this section include the management of properties.
The Section for the Management of Property and Supplies is also tasked with the responsibility of monitoring the use of money that has been allocated for the purchase of office equipment, vehicles, supplies, and various other kinds of expenses. This responsibility falls under the purview of the Property and Supplies Management Section.
- Quality Management System
Through its Excellent Management System, the POEA is dedicated to providing quality services to overseas Filipino workers and their employers (QMS). The objective of the Quality Management System (QMS) is to promote continuous performance enhancement across all POEA stakeholders, particularly with regard to the achievement of high levels of customer satisfaction, revenue creation, and revenue collection.
The quality management system (QMS) is an efficient instrument for ensuring that all of the organization’s processes, systems, and procedures are in line with its vision and goal. It contributes to ensuring that POEA initiatives are intended to serve the organization’s goals while also satisfying the requirements of customers.
List of POEA Online Services
Aside from the programs mentioned above, the POEA also provides overseas workers with online services. These are as follows:
1. POEA Online Appointment
Interviews for visa applications can be scheduled through the POEA Online Appointment System, which is the most time- and resource-efficient method available to people interested in working abroad. With this service, you will be able to book your interview at any time and in any location, using either our website or our mobile app (available for Android and iOS).
Through the use of these tools, you will also be able to access your planned appointment. This function was added in June of 2018 in an effort to further enhance the quality of service that we provide to candidates. In order to utilise this service, you will need to use your official email address.
Simply enter it in the box that is provided on the home page of our website or download the official mobile app for your platform (Android or iOS) and then log in with your username and password. After you have successfully logged in, you will have the ability to either begin the process of creating a new appointment or view any appointments that you have already scheduled.
2. POEA E-Registration (Online Services Portal)
The POEA E-Registration application is a web-based programme that will enable you to submit your documents online in a setting that is both safe and easy for you. This service is offered to all Foreign Workers, Overseas Workers, and Family Members of those Workers who are applying for POEA-mandated processes for themselves or their dependents.
The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and the Bureau of Immigration worked together to develop the electronic registration system that is known as the POEA E-Registration system. It is intended to simplify the method of acquiring working visas in order to make the entire process speedier and less cumbersome.
This portal also gives you the ability to view your historical transactions, such as payment records and updates on the status of any pending transactions you have. You can also utilise this tool as an alternate channel to report any issues or concerns you have regarding your case, as well as contact us if you have any questions.
3. Balik Manggagawa Online Processing
OFWs are able to complete the application procedure for their Balik Manggagawa permit online through the website of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA). This programme is known as Balik Manggagawa.
The Balik Manggagawa Process started on March 1, 2016, although as of the time this article was written, it was only accessible to OFWs in the Philippines who have already submitted an application for their POEA licence or who are already employed outside the country.
4. Online Pre-Employment Orientation Seminar (PEOS)
The Online Pre-Employment Orientation Seminar (PEOS) is a pre-employment orientation program that is intended to provide fundamental information on the activities and operations of the PEOS program. This information can be accessed through the program’s website. Job seekers have the chance to learn more about the agency, its goal, and the services it offers through the Pre-Employment Orientation Seminar (PEOS).
It also enables the company to determine whether or not the applicant is interested in working for the organisation. The Pre-Employment Orientation Seminar (PEOS) can be finished in a single sitting or in many sessions spread out over several days.
5. Registration for Seafarers
If they plan to work on board vessels that are engaged in international travel, Filipino seafarers who wish to work abroad must first register with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA). In order to register, maritime workers need to provide the necessary documentation, which includes a passport, a Social Security number or a GSIS ID number, a birth certificate, and the most recent medical certificate that was issued by a certified medical practitioner.
Seafarers will be given a Seaman Booklet once they have been given permission to work in a foreign country. This booklet will contain essential information about the seafarer, including their name, passport number, and other pertinent data that they can use when working overseas.
6. Verification of Status of Recruitment Agencies
The Philippines Overseas Employment Administration is in charge of overseeing and regulating employment overseas. It also certifies foreign employers, oversees, and assesses their performance, promotes the welfare of Filipinos working abroad and protects their rights, and gives licences to recruitment firms. If you are seeking for a new licence or the renewal of an existing licence for your agency, you will be needed to provide proof of your current status.
Before the POEA will give a licence to a recruitment agency to assist in the process of finding people for employment overseas, the POEA mandates that the agency provide the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) with a current and valid Verification of Status (VOS) document.
7. Verification of Agency’s Job Orders
All licenced recruiting agencies, employment firms, and representatives are required to register with the POEA in order to comply with the requirements of the law. Before they can be sent to any country, prospective international employees are also need to register with the appropriate authorities.
This registration is being done with the intention of ensuring that only legally operating recruiting and placement agencies are given permission to conduct business in the Philippines. This ensures that there will be no illicit agencies functioning in the country, which helps to protect the reputation of authorised recruiters from being tarnished in any way.
In addition to this, it safeguards both the employment agencies and the clients they serve against dishonest persons who may seem to be recruiters but are con artists or fraudsters. POEA Online Services is a tool that allows applicants to verify their agency’s job orders online before they sign them. This allows applicants to know exactly what they are getting themselves into and protects them from dishonest recruiters who try to take advantage of them.
8. SRA/LOA Online Application System
The new Online Application System has been made available by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA). This will be of great assistance to anyone interested in applying for a job overseas as well as to any businesses who are looking for skilled individuals to fill open positions. You can now apply for SRA or LOA online using this brand-new technology, and you can also check the status of your application using this same platform.
9. Adjudication Cases Monitor
The Adjudication Case Monitor is a piece of software that may be used to keep track of the current standing of adjudication cases in the Philippines. Only those who have already created an account can access this tool. The Adjudication Cases Monitor gives information on cases that have been submitted with DOLE or POEA, including the applicant’s name and e-mail address, the case number, the status of the case, the kind of case, and the date that the case was filed. The process of adjudication is not instantaneous and can take several weeks or even months to finish. Because of this, it is strongly suggested that interested parties check their progress on a frequent basis by utilising this tool. This will ensure that they are able to make the most of the short window of time that is available for submitting their comments and evidence.
Note: As mentioned earlier, while the POEA as an agency has been absorbed by the Department of Migrant Workers, it still offers several services, such as those that are provided online to assist outgoing OFWs.
Video: Programs and Services Offered by the POEA
The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) is the government entity you need to be familiar with if you are considering working in a location other than the Philippines. In order for you to make the most of the work opportunities that are available to you overseas, we are going to provide you with an overview of the programs and services that are provided by the POEA.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, also known as POEA, is the government agency that is in charge of regulating the employment of Filipino employees in other countries. In the following sections, we will provide responses to some of the questions that are asked the most commonly regarding the POEA.
1. What is an overseas employment program?
It includes the selection, acquisition, employment, career change, and employment of migrant workers after they have returned from their country of employment to their country of residence.
2. What is POEA clearance?
It is required that OFWs receive clearance from the POEA before leaving the Philippines for employment-related reasons, regardless of the status of their visa.
3. How can I apply for POEA?
Check the POEA website for information on available jobs and offices in your area.
4. What is POEA E Registration?
A website that compiles and keeps information on people interested in working in other countries.
5. How long does it take to process the POEA?
After an application for Phase I has been filed, expect processing between three and seven business days.
6. How can I get POEA certificate?
- Send an email to dhad_lbc@yahoo.com with the subject line “Appointment Request” to schedule a meeting with the POEA Direct Hire Assistance Division (DHAD). Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:00 and 11:00 in the morning, requests need to be sent in. After that, a confirmation email on your appointment will be sent to you. Bring a printed copy of this message with you to your scheduled appointment.
- You are expected to appear at the POEA Office for your scheduled appointment.
- Please ensure that your application meets the prerequisites for direct hire.
- Check out the POEA website for a list of approved clearance postings.
7. Does POEA conduct PDOS?
The OWWA Central Office in Pasay City, the OWWA office in the POEA in Mandaluyong City, or other authorised third parties manage the PDOS OWWA. These offices are located in Pasay City.
8. How many hours is PDOS?
Six hours.
9. Is PDOS online now?
CFO has a system that is referred to as Reservation & Registration (R&R) PDOS, and it is used for registration for PDOS. If you are a Filipino and you have an immigrant visa, you are required to register for PDOS on the official website of the CFO.
10. How much is the fee for PDOS online?
Training for the CFO online Pre-Departure orientation is provided at NO COST to participants.
Summary
The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) is an important government organisation that offers the essential support to Filipinos who intend to travel outside of the country in order to look for job. This institution is responsible for everything, from the application procedure to making sure that OFWs are working in safe and humane conditions outside the country.
The POEA has a long history of working with overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), and it shows; the agency’s employees are professional, helpful, and courteous throughout the entire process.
READ NEXT: Department of Migrant Workers (DMW): What You Need to Know
Contact Information
Address: Blas F. Ople Building, Ortigas Ave., Cor. EDSA Ave., Mandaluyong City
Telephone Number: 8-722-11-44 / 8-722-11-55
Website: https://www.dmw.gov.ph/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/dmw.gov.ph
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