Agencies deploying domestic helpers must have Facebook accounts—POEA

MANILA, Philippines—Licensed recruitment agencies deploying domestic helpers overseas are now required to have their own official Facebook accounts, in accordance to a new memorandum issued by the Philippine Overseas Employment Authority (POEA).

According to Memorandum Circular 1 Series of 2015 issued by Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac, the measure will ensure that the interests and welfare of the domestic helpers are being protected and promoted.

The purposes of the directive include: communication platform for deployed domestic workers;

dispute prevention; endorsement of complaints; and submission of reports to the POEA.

The memorandum, which will take effect on March 13, 2015, does not require domestic helpers to have Facebook accounts, contrary to reports issued by other news outlets.

“The requirement to have FB accounts is imposed upon recruitment agencies deploying household service workers (HSWs), and is not a requirement for HSWs to have FB accounts,” Cacdac said.

Without an official Facebook account of the recruitment agencies, the documents of the domestic helpers will not be processed by the POEA.

Recruitment agencies were also required to submit reports on the condition of their deployed workers.

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