Question & AnswerQ&A (POEA MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 13 S. OF 1999)
A caregiver is defined as a contract worker who is hired to provide home support care in a private household. A live-in caregiver is required to reside in the employer's home and must only work for the employer he/she has been given permission to work for.
Caregivers must be at least 21 years of age pursuant to Section 2 of the Memorandum Circular and in consonance with MC # 20, Series of 1998.
A caregiver must be at least a high school graduate as per Section 3 of the Circular.
They must have the ability to speak, read, and understand English at a level sufficient to communicate effectively in an unsupervised setting.
Yes, the caregiver must possess the appropriate certificate of competency as caregiver issued by TESDA as soon as the applicable system for determination of skills of household workers is in place.
Caregivers are entitled to a guaranteed monthly salary in accordance with the prevailing minimum wage law of Israel inclusive of food and accommodation. The salary of a live-in caregiver may be deducted an amount to cover food and accommodation upon mutual agreement.
Foreign placement agencies/principals must undergo pre-qualification by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) or the Philippine Embassy in Israel and submit documents such as the appropriate license from the Israel government, the employer's information sheet, and Special Power of Attorney and Recruitment Agreement with the Philippine Recruitment Agency.
Required documents include the Pre-Qualification Certificate and copy of license to operate as placement agency from host country's government, authenticated Special Power of Attorney and Recruitment Agreement, and verified manpower request indicating number of caregivers and minimum qualifications.
They must submit Request for Processing (RFP), individual employment contract, individual employer's particulars including complete address and phone number, visa/work permit, worker's information sheet, and certificate of attendance to Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS).
The foreign placement agency is required to regularly inform the POLO/Philippine Embassy/Consulate of the arrival of the household workers in Israel for effective monitoring.
They are to assist in the settlement of disputes, repatriation of caregivers, and reporting significant incidents like run-away, death, injury or illness, and detention to the POEA and Philippine Embassy in Israel.
The Circular took effect immediately upon adoption on May 10, 1999.