POEA reiterates no direct-hire policy for domestic helpers

Labor officials on Monday reminded Filipinos seeking jobs abroad as household service workers that the government adheres to the no direct-hire policy.

Malaysia has allowed employers to directly hire domestic workers from nine countries, including the Philippines.

“Direct hiring of domestic workers bound for Malaysia shall not be allowed except for employers who are members of the diplomatic corps, international organizations and heads of state and government officials with the rank of at least deputy minister,” said Bernard Olalia, administrator of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).

OEC issuance

He said the Philippine Labor Office in Kuala Lumpur would not issue Overseas Employment Certificates (OECs) to Filipinos who have exited the Philippines as tourists and found work in Malaysia.

The OEC should be secured instead at POEA offices once they have returned to the country for a vacation, Olalia said.

Filipinos who found jobs in Malaysia must be registered by the labor office so they could access government services, the POEA administrator said.

Task force backed

Meanwhile, Senate Pro Tempore Ralph Recto backed the labor department’s recommendation to form a task force, saying the 5-percent conviction rate on illegal recruitment cases in the country was a cause for national worry.

Citing a Department of Justice report, he said that of the 736 cases disposed by state prosecutors two years ago, only 39 ended in conviction while 211 were dismissed, 438 archived, 23 resulted in acquittals and 25 were mediated. —With a report from Jocely R. Uy