Processing exit clearances for Filipino workers going abroad temporarily halted

November 10, 2017

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said Friday the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) will temporarily suspend accepting and processing exit clearances for overseas Filipino workers due to persistent reports of illegal recruitment.

In a press conference, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said he signed a department order halting  processing of Overseas Employment Certificates (OECs) from November 13 until December 1.

"I am announcing the suspension of acceptance and processing of new applications for OECs for all OFWs, including direct hire workers," said Bello.

"The suspension will be effective for 15 working days, subject to extension as circumstances may require," he said. Excluded are those hired by international organizations, members of diplomatic corps, and sea-based recruitment agencies.

"We have received report that 80 to 90 percent of direct hires are victims of illegal recruitment. We also received reports that there are persons in the POEA getting quarter of a million in the issuance of OECs. We have to do something to address this drastic situation," said Bello.

He said the POEA estimates around 75,000 new and returning OFWs would be affected by the temporary suspension.

"The deployment of about 75,000 OFWs will temporarily be put on hold during the 15 days suspension with an average of 5,000 a day," said Bello.

Bello said the investigation will be led by POEA officer-in-charge and DOLE Undersecretary Bernard Olalia. DMS