POEA to issue exit clearance to OFWs in Italy

Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA)

MANILA—The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has announced that overseas Filipino workers (OFW) in Italy will soon be able to apply for an exit clearance, formally called Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC).

OFWs in Italy who hold attesa disoccupazione, a permit given by the Italian government to migrant workers who have lost their jobs are the ones entitled to apply for OEC.

“These workers shall be issued POEA ‘balik-manggagawa’ exit clearance upon presentation of the following: passport valid at least six months from date of intended departure; copy of valid attesa disoccupazione,” POEA was quoted as saying in a Manila Bulletin report.

Attesa disoccupazione allows unemployed migrant workers to stay in Italy for a year to find jobs. With this certificate, Filipinos who were previously barred by POEA from applying for OEC due to their unemployed status are now allowed to apply for one.

Despite the policies becoming more lenient, OFWs in Italy who wish to apply for OEC will still undergo evaluation in the main and regional offices of POEA.