Monitor OFWs’ health, POEA tells recruiters

Recruitment agencies are now required to monitor the health of workers whom they deploy to China’s special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau, for possible symptoms of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the government response needed.

A memorandum circular released on Thursday by Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) administrator Bernard Olalia states that Philippine recruitment agencies (PRAs) “should strictly monitor the condition/s of their deployed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and should establish accessible lines of communications for reports on emergency cases.

“As such, a monitoring system should be generated by each deploying PRA to take into consideration the seriousness of the disease and the OFW’s immediate need for medical assistance.”

The memo also said that cases of symptomatic or infected OFWs should be reported by the PRA within three days to the Philippine Overseas Labor Office, the Philippine Embassy or consulate of jurisdiction for prompt medical attention.

The POEA must then be furnished a copy of the report, which must contain the names of the OFW and employer, the work address, contact details and medical status.

“PRAs in violation of this memorandum shall be held liable for violation of reportorial requirements under the POEA Rules and Regulations Governing the Recruitment and Employment of Landbased Overseas Filipino Workers of 2016 (and shall be meted the) appropriate corresponding disciplinary action,” the memo stated.