Question & AnswerQ&A (POEA ADVISORY NO. 01, S. 2009)
Cross country employment among OFWs refers to the situation where skilled Filipino workers, while still onsite in their current country of employment, seek to leave for another country directly to take up new employment opportunities without first returning to the Philippines.
Canada and Australia are the preferred destinations for cross country employment by Overseas Filipino Workers still onsite in their current employment.
Cross country employment in this context is considered irregular migration, which prevents workers from processing their employment documents properly as OFWs and consequently deprives them of welfare benefits and government protections extended to regular OFWs.
The Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO), the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and Philippine Embassies or Consulates are the main government bodies involved in assisting and regulating OFWs in cross country employment situations.
1) Voluntary registration with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration; 2) Notice to the POLO/Embassy/Consulate at the original job site of their intention to leave for another destination for employment; 3) Notice to the POLO/Embassy/Consulate of their arrival and employment details in the new country.
Registration ensures that the OFWs can enjoy the protection, welfare benefits, and government assistance provided to regular OFWs, which are otherwise unavailable if they engage in irregular migration.
The LMO from foreign employers and the visa approval by foreign embassies (such as the Canadian Embassy in Korea) serve as official documents allowing OFWs to undertake new employment contracts in foreign countries other than their original place of employment.
It indicates that displaced skilled workers may choose to seek employment in other countries directly from their current location rather than returning home, contributing to the trend of cross country employment.
POLOs, including POLO Korea, are requested to aggressively disseminate information regarding the proper registration and notification procedures to ensure that OFWs are protected and that their employment opportunities are safeguarded.
The advisory provides guidelines to prevent irregular migration among OFWs through cross country employment and affirms the procedures for registration and notification to safeguard their legal status, welfare, and benefits under Philippine labor laws governing overseas employment.