GUIDELINES FOR FILIPINOS WORKING IN THE UK, IRELAND ...

1 2 GUIDELINES FOR FILIPINOS WORKING IN THE UK, IRELAND , FALKLAND ISLANDS, JERSEY, GUERNSEY, GIBRALTAR (based on POEA Memorandum Circular No. 2, series of 2019) I. Overseas Filipino Workers who are holding a valid work visa are required to secure an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) or OEC exemption (as applicable) when going on holiday vacation/ emergency leave to the Philippines. II. There are three classifications of workers who are required to secure an OEC, namely: A. Returning documented OFWs. These are the workers who have existing record with the POEA who are vacationing to the Philippines and are returning to the same employer and jobsite to continue/renew an existing employment contract.

2 They can secure an OEC from any POEA office or from the POLO. B. Workers not previously registered with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA). These are the workers with no existing record of deployment with the POEA. They need to have their employment contract verified by the POLO before they could secure an OEC. C. Workers who changed employment on-site. These are the workers who transferred or entered into a new employment contract from one employer to another. They need to have their employment contract verified by the POLO before they could secure an OEC. III. To secure an OEC, workers are required to set an appointment through the BM Online Processing at at their preferred date and time in any of the POEA offices in the Philippines or at the POLO which has jurisdiction over their jobsite.

3 IV. The following are the required documents for the issuance of OEC (Please refer to checklist #12 for the detailed list): Requirements A. Returning documented OFWs. B. Workers not previously registered with the POEA. (two copies of the following) C. Workers who changed employment on-site (two copies of the following) For returning documented professional/skilled workers A. 2 For returning domestic workers, overseas performing artists, masseurs/ masseuses, cleaners, construction workers (two copies of the following) Passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of intended departure from the Philippines; Valid and appropriate visa and work permit; Any proof of existing employment that worker is returning to the same employer such as current employment certificate, valid company ID, or recent pay slip.

4 Employment contract with the terms and conditions prescribed by - 2 Requirements A. Returning documented OFWs. B. Workers not previously registered with the POEA. (two copies of the following) C. Workers who changed employment on-site (two copies of the following) For returning documented professional/skilled workers A. 2 For returning domestic workers, overseas performing artists, masseurs/ masseuses, cleaners, construction workers (two copies of the following) the POEA under Part V, Rule I, Section 135 of the 2016 Revised POEA Rules and Regulations Governing the Recruitment and Employment of Landbased Overseas Filipino Workers and the POEA Standard Employment Contract.

5 Affidavit of the worker providing explanation on how he/she was hired by the current employer (form #24) - Letter from employer attesting to the transfer of jobsite of the worker (if not already included in the employment contract) - - - Accomplished OWWA form (form #18) (if membership has already expired or not yet a member) V. Please also note the OEC will only be valid for a period of 60 days from the date of issuance. Hence, make sure that the OEC validity will be able to cover the date of departure from the Philippines when going back to the jobsite. VI. On succeeding vacations to the Philippines, the worker may secure an OEC exemption through the BMONLINE system if he/she was returning to the same employer previously registered with the POEA/POLO.

6 Otherwise, he/she will need to register his/her new employment contract to POLO (go back to nos. II, III and IV). If you have questions, you may contact POLO-London via and and telephone numbers +44-207-451-1832, +44-207-451-1833, +44-207-839-8039, or +44-207-839-8078. -END- 12 CHECKLIST OF REQUIREMENTS FOR CONTRACT REGISTRATION, OWWA, and OEC The documents listed below must be submitted to POLO-London prior to going on vacation leave to the Philippines. For questions regarding the checklist, the worker may communicate with Philippine Overseas Labor Office-London through or and telephone number +44-207-451-1833 or +44-207-839-8078 or +44-207-839-8039 or +44-207-451-1832.

7 Please also refer to the GUIDELINES for FILIPINOS WORKING in UK/ IRELAND /Etc . Required Documents Remarks Verification Fee ( ) (Applicable to workers who changed employer/ job site, dependents who became OFW, workers who renewed their contract, workers without previous record with the POEA.) OEC ( ) (Applicable to workers to have previous POEA record. Workers who do not have prior record with the POEA are required to secure OEC in the POEA.) OWWA ( ) (renewal every two years) [ ] 1. Original Employment contract, with signature of the worker and the employer; [ ] 2. Copy of passport with at least six months validity from the intended date of departure from the Philippines; [ ] 3.

8 Copy of both pages of biometric residence permit showing the NI number/ work visa with validity period that would cover date of return to job site; [ ] 4. Copy of latest pay slip or company ID; [ ] 5. Affidavit of the worker stating the circumstances and timeline on how employment was secured; [ ] 6. Photocopy of item numbers 1-5. [ ] 7. If also securing an OEC: Please also submit the information sheet/appointment form [ ] 8. If also paying OWWA membership/renewal fee: Please also submit the OWWA membership form TOTAL Payment in cash, postal money order, sterling bank draft Payable to: POLO London POLO London OWWA London IF TO BE SENT BY POST: 1.

9 Prepare the documents and photocopies for sending to POLO, Philippine Embassy London, 6 Suffolk Street, London, SW1Y 4HG; 2. Enclose postal money order or company cheque payable to POLO London, and Philippine Embassy London, respectively, based on the breakdown of fees in the checklist; 3. Enclose a self-addressed return envelope with sufficient UK stamp (registered mail) so that the documents could be sent back to you. For principals in IE where UK stamp is not available, you may enclose another postal money order payable to POLO London that would cover the cost of postage stamp for posting back the documents (sample prices may be found at ). You may also arrange for courier collection. Process Cycle Time (PCT): Processing of documents received by mail/courier takes up to three WORKING days upon receipt of complete documents and payment.

10 Transactions which need further evaluation may be released beyond 72hrs and are subject to clarifications and/or submission of additional requirements. For walk-in transactions, documents are released on the same day with a PCT of 30 minutes to 1 hour. 13 ADDENDUM TO CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT The following additional terms shall apply in addition to those set out in the contract of employment: 1. The contract will have a duration of ____ year/s, commencing from the date of departure of the employee from the point of hire to the site of employment; 2. The employee will have access to ____( , NHS/HSE, etc.) health and emergency services while living and WORKING in the UK/ IRELAND /jobsite; 3.