Question & AnswerQ&A (POEA DEPARTMENT ORDER NO. 25)
The Order provides guidelines for the issuance of Alien Refugee Employment Permits (AREP) to Non-Indo Chinese refugees in the Philippines, as an exception to Article 40, Paragraph 2 of the Labor Code of the Philippines.
This Order is pursuant to the ratification by the Philippine government of the 1951 United Nations Convention and the 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees.
The refugee must be under the protection of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and must satisfy any of these conditions: Have completed three years residence in the country; or have a spouse possessing Filipino nationality (not abandoned); or have one or more children possessing Filipino nationality.
No. Refugees are not allowed to practice professions limited to Filipinos under Section 4, Article XII of the 1987 Constitution, unless they have obtained a Certificate of Registration or Professional License from the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).
Applicants must file a duly accomplished application form with supporting documents such as bio-data with picture, marriage contract if married to a Filipino, contract of employment, certification from UNHCR representatives, security clearance from NICA, endorsement from RSPI or authorized UNHCR representatives, and any other documents required by the Secretary of Labor or representatives.
An AREP is valid for one year from the date of issue. It can be renewed annually upon approval of the Secretary of Labor or authorized representative, and renewal applications must be filed at least 45 days prior to expiration with required documents.
Revocation or cancellation can occur upon conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude, unauthorized practice of restricted professions without PRC license, change of employer or job without prior BLE approval, or violation of rules related to the Alien Employment Permit System.
The permit fee is One Hundred Pesos (P100.00) for issuance or renewal. A replacement card due to loss is charged Fifty Pesos (P50.00).
The Refugee Services Philippines, Inc. (RSPI) or any agency authorized by the UNHCR is responsible for submitting annual status reports to the Bureau of Local Employment by January 15 each year.