Recruitment agencies ordered to monitor status of OFWs

In Memorandum Circular No. 08, Series of 2020 signed by POEA administrator Bernard Olalia released Friday, the agencies were also ordered to coordinate with the Philippine Overseas Labor Office where overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are employed for the purpose of extending assistance to them. (File Photo: Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA)/Facebook)

MANILA – The Philippine Overseas Welfare Administration (POEA) has directed all Philippine recruitment agencies (PRAs) and licensed manning agencies (LMAs) to monitor and report the status of Filipino workers in countries affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

In Memorandum Circular No. 08, Series of 2020 signed by POEA administrator Bernard Olalia released Friday, the agencies were also ordered to coordinate with the Philippine Overseas Labor Office where overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are employed for the purpose of extending assistance to them.

“Likewise, all PRAs and LMAs are directed to provide assistance to newly-hired OFWs and joining crew whose flight schedules were canceled or crew change was deferred by their respective employer/principals, and have been stranded in Metro Manila, due to the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon. The assistance should not be limited to temporary accommodation, food, and transportation back to their provinces in coordination with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration,” the POEA added.

The PRAs and LMAs are required to report such incidents to the Welfare and Employment Office, via electronic mail (weo@poea.gov.ph or wsb@poea.gov.ph).

Failure to comply with the circular would warrant the filing of administrative charges.

“Failure to comply with this issuance shall constitute a violation of the reportorial requirements provided by the POEA Rules and Regulations Governing the Recruitment and Employment of Landbased and Sea-based Overseas Filipino Workers of 2016, and shall warrant the filing of appropriate administrative sanctions,” it added.