QuestionsQuestions (POEA Memorandum Circular No. 11)
It allows Taiwanese employers who already have valid registration with Philippine recruitment agencies (PRAs) to also hire under the Special Hiring Program for Taiwan (SHPT) through the POEA Government Placement Branch (GPB), under a dual registration arrangement with specific guidelines.
The SHPT is a government-to-government hiring arrangement for workers from Taiwan. In the Philippines, it is implemented by the POEA through its in-house placement facility, the Government Placement Branch (GPB).
IDES stands for International Direct E-Recruitment System. It is an online recruitment system introduced by Taiwan’s Workforce Development Agency to simplify hiring under SHPT by enabling Taiwanese employers to hire foreign workers directly.
It means a Taiwanese employer may be recognized both through the private recruitment agency registration it already holds, and separately through registration/processing for SHPT under the GPB/IDES—subject to compliance with documentary and operational requirements.
The employer must have valid registration with a Philippine recruitment agency.
Taiwanese employers must provide the same (uniform) compensation package applicable to workers hired under the PRA and those hired under SHPT.
The circular requires: (1) an official endorsement by MECO Labor Center, (2) a master employment contract, and (3) a manpower request indicating position(s) and corresponding compensation package for workers to be hired.
MECO Labor Center must duly verify the required documents and provide an official endorsement as part of the registration under SHPT.
The GPB must send written notice to the Philippine recruitment agency that its registered employer is recruiting workers under SHPT.
The mobilization costs paid by workers under SHPT shall apply (i.e., the applicable SHPT mobilization cost arrangement applies to SHPT hires).
The GPB is responsible over the workers deployed under the SHPT- IDES, while the existing PRA assumes responsibility over the workers it has deployed.
To prevent disparities and ensure consistent worker benefits regardless of whether hiring occurs through the private agency route or via the SHPT-IDES direct system.
To reinforce the government-to-government structure of SHPT, streamline processing, and reduce mobilization costs and time spent in finding suitable workers.
It signals that the listed guidelines are mandatory; failure to follow them may result in non-approval, suspension, or other regulatory action by the POEA/GPB.
It was signed by Jesus Gabriel C. Domingo, Deputy Administrator for Licensing and Adjudication and Officer-in-Charge. This indicates issuance by competent POEA leadership under the licensing/adjudication framework.