POEA extends validity of OFWs’ employment certificates

This, after the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) extended the OECs’ validity until government has lifted all the community quarantines to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in the country. (File Photo: Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA)/Facebook)

MANILA – Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) whose overseas employment certificates (OECs) have expired during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) need not to worry.

This, after the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) extended the OECs’ validity until government has lifted all the community quarantines to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in the country.

“Further to POEA Advisory No. 48, series of 2020, the public is hereby advised that the original validity or the revalidation of OECs issued to OFWs which expired during the enhanced community quarantine is hereby extended until all the community quarantines in the country have been lifted,” the POEA’s Advisory No. 124 signed by Administrator Bernard Olalia on August 27 read.

The POEA said OFWs who are scheduled to leave the country but have expired OECs are advised to go to office of the POEA that issued the certificate.

The OFWs may also go to the Labor Assistance Center (LAC) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and other international airports in the country, it added.

The POEA said OFWs are required to present the original copy of expired OEC, copy of employment contract, copy of valid work permit/visa, and valid passport.

“The requirements stated in the Advisory No. 48 shall be presented for evaluation, revalidation and stamping of OEC as “CLEARED,” it added.

The OEC, known as exit clearance/pass, is issued by the POEA to certify the regularity of recruitment and documentation of an OFW.

The document is presented by the OFW to the immigration officer at the airport of exit in the Philippines.