DOLE resumes processing of overseas employment certificates

FILE: In Labor Advisory No. 16, Series of 2017, DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III has ordered to resume processing of OECs, which was suspended last month. (Photo: Ilagan City, Isabela/Facebook)

MANILA — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Monday has resumed the processing of Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC).

This, as the 15-day suspension implemented by the agency on the processing of the said document ended on Friday.

In Labor Advisory No. 16, Series of 2017, DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III has ordered to resume processing of OECs, which was suspended last month.

“Relative to Department Order No. 185 issued on November 09, 2017 which imposed a suspension on the acceptance and processing of all new applications for Overseas Employment Certificates subject to certain exemptions, this Department hereby announces that the 15-day suspension ended on 01 December 2017 and no extensions have been imposed. The processing of OEC’s can now resume,” said the one-page order issued on Monday.

The order noted that the fact-finding team will continue to investigate on the supposed illegal recruitment activities at the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).

“Meanwhile, the fact finding team will carry on with its work at the POEA to uncover the culpable parties who are responsible for the illegal recruitment activities which have been victimized several of our applicants overseas employment,” it added.

The POEA estimated that some 75,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) would be adversely affected by the temporary suspension.