POEA requires organizers to secure permit for online job fair

In POEA Advisory No. 138 signed by Administrator Bernard Olalia, organizers of such event, since mass gathering is still prohibited, need to secure JFA. (File Photo: Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA)/Facebook)

MANILA – The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) said Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs), who are planning to conduct online job fairs are required to secure Job Fair Authority (JFA).

In POEA Advisory No. 138 signed by Administrator Bernard Olalia, organizers of such event, since mass gathering is still prohibited, need to secure JFA.

“Please be guided that conducting online job fair, the POEA Memorandum Circular No. 05, series of 2017, still applies, considering that the said Circular unquestionably covers the issuance of authority for the agency’s participation in a job fair,” it said.

“Under the Circular, agencies who would be participating in the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-approved Job Fair are directed to secure from the POEA the Job Fair Authority prior to their actual participation in such activity,” the POEA added.

It said there are some PESOs who are conducting and /or scheduling the conduct of online job fair using their own developed platform.

“Notwithstanding the peculiarity of the job fair which would be conducted in an online/virtual platform as opposed to the traditional conducts of the same in a specific physical venue, the requirement of securing the JFA would still be applicable,” the advisory added.

The POEA said it will soon issue guidelines as to the conduct of online job fair.

“In view of the Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic with restrictions to hold mass gathering, the POEA is in the process of developing a system for the conduct of an online job fair which will be soon presented to the DOLE, PESO and Licensed Recruitment Agencies prior to implementation,” it added.