Employer Requirements Under the Program
- Employers must submit the following verified documents to the POEA via the Manila Economic and Cultural Office or Manila Labor Center (MLC):
- Brief company profile detailing business nature, employee count, and years in operation.
- Demand letter specifying manpower requirements including qualifications such as education, age, gender, experience, and skills certifications or licenses.
- Copy of the employment contract offer to foreign workers, detailing salary and other benefits.
- Approval letter from Taiwan’s Council of Labor Affairs (CLA).
- Target deployment date for workers.
- The MLC assists in negotiating recruitment agreements and contractual terms, informs employers of acceptance, and facilitates execution of Recruitment Agreements per the existing MOU.
Employment Contract Terms
- Employment contracts must align with terms agreed upon by MECO/POEA and CLA/Employment, Vocational and Training Administration (EVAT).
- The contract terms may be improved through negotiation guided by the MLC/POEA to benefit the workers.
Procedures for Recruitment and Documentation of Workers
1. Worker Selection:
- Employers have the final authority in selecting workers.
- Selection may occur via mail, personal interviews in the Philippines, or through teleconferencing.
- Recruitment activities are supervised by the POEA Regional Center or extension units, and may be conducted in Metro Manila or other preferred regions.
2. Briefing and Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS):
- Selected workers undergo detailed briefings and PDOS before deployment.
- Briefings cover terms and conditions of employment, technical job requirements, host country background, and cultural orientation.
- Workers receive information on document requirements, travel procedures, and an itemized listing of recruitment expenses.
- Workers are forewarned against unauthorized absconding from the employer, which may constitute a criminal offense.
3. Medical Examination:
- Selected workers undergo medical examinations as required by the employer and Taiwanese authorities.
- Medical tests are conducted at DOH-accredited hospitals/clinics in both the Philippines and Taiwan.
4. Visa Processing:
- Workers who clear medical exams submit the following to POEA for visa issuance through TECO:
- Valid passport
- NBI clearance
- Medical certificate
- Employment contract
- CLA approval letter
- Photographs
- Visa fee payment
5. Contract Processing and Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) Issuance:
- Upon visa release, POEA assists workers in processing employment contracts and issuing OECs.
- These processes may also be handled by POEA regional offices for efficiency.
Fee Schedule and Financial Responsibilities
- Employer is responsible for:
- Travel expenses incurred during worker interviews in the Philippines (e.g., airfare, accommodation, local transport, visa for visiting the Philippines).
- Advertising costs related to sourcing hard-to-find skills.
- Worker is responsible for:
- Documentation fees including costs for passport, NBI clearance, medical exams, medicare premiums, trade tests (if applicable), and visa fees (unless paid by the employer).
- Processing fees, including airfare, POEA processing fees, and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) membership fees; these costs are subject to negotiation with employer assistance.
Implementation and Enforcement
- The guidelines are founded on a POEA Governing Board Resolution and are implemented upon adoption.
- The Manila Economic and Cultural Office, POEA, and Taipei Economic and Cultural Office collaborate closely to ensure proper negotiation, documentation, deployment, and compliance.
- Workers are informed of their rights and obligations throughout the hiring process to protect their welfare under the Special Hiring Program.