Question & AnswerQ&A (ADVISORY NO. 10, S. 2018)
The Malaysian government allows employers to directly engage the services of domestic workers from nine source countries including the Philippines.
No, the POEA strictly adheres to the policy of no direct-hire scheme for domestic workers or household service workers bound for Malaysia.
Employers who are members of the diplomatic corps, international organizations, and heads of states and government officials with the rank of at least deputy minister are exempted from the no direct hiring policy.
POLO in Kuala Lumpur will not issue Overseas Employment Certificates (OEC) to Filipinos who exited the Philippines as tourists and are now working in Malaysia; instead, they will be advised to secure the OEC when they return to the Philippines.
They must be registered by POLO-Kuala Lumpur to access on-site government services.
Prospective applicants are strongly advised to process their employment contracts through the POEA and verify the authenticity of job offers by checking job orders with the POEA through its website or hotlines.
The OEC serves as proof that the overseas Filipino worker has been processed and accredited by the POEA for legal overseas employment.
No, direct hiring by private individuals in Malaysia is not allowed unless the employer falls within the specified exempted categories.
Circumventing the POEA process can result in non-issuance of the OEC, lack of government protection, and possible violation of Philippine overseas employment regulations.
They can verify by checking the job orders with the POEA through its official website www.poea.gov.ph or by calling the POEA hotlines at 722-11-44 and 722-11-55.