Pre-Qualification of Employers for Direct Hiring
- Employers must be pre-qualified by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) and POEA
- Criteria include:
- Clean employment record in the Philippines and abroad
- No intermediaries involved in recruitment
- Required documents:
- Business/commercial registration
- Sample employment contract
- Proof of hiring capability
- Employer undertakings covering no placement fee, performance bond (three months' salary), repatriation bond (US$5,000 or equivalent), and medical insurance for worker
Procedures for Direct Hiring
- Employers submit direct hiring requests to POLO for pre-qualification
- POLO evaluates, then forwards to POEA; absence of POLO transfers authentication role to Philippine Embassy
- POEA reviews and recommends to Secretary of Labor and Employment for approval
- Upon approval, POLO verifies employment contracts; workers submit verified contracts to POEA
- Processing time limited to one month barring delays
- Approval permits processing directly hired workers but prohibits personal recruitment or via agents
Verification of Individual Employment Contracts
- POLO verifies contracts after DOLE approval
- Documents required:
- Individual employment contract
- Employer undertaking to comply with terms and humane treatment
- Certificates for performance bond, medical insurance (no cost to worker)
Documentary Requirements for Processing Direct Hires
- Approval from Secretary of Labor must accompany documents
- For skilled workers (non-Household Service Workers):
- Passport, POLO-verified employment contract, valid visa/work permit, medical fitness certificate
- PDOS attendance certificate, OFW Information Sheet
- Employer undertaking, performance bond, repatriation bond, medical insurance certificates
- Additional insurance for Middle East drivers
- For Household Service Workers (HSWs):
- Similar documentation as skilled categories plus negative pregnancy test for females, TESDA National Certificate II, and OWWA Language and Culture Orientation Certificate
Medical Examination Requirements and Exemptions
- Mandatory pre-employment medical exam by DOH-accredited clinic with medical fitness certificate
- Exemptions if:
- Medical exam for visa issuance done within the last 3 months
- Host country requires medical exam upon arrival and employer guarantees repatriation costs if medical issues arise
Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar Exemptions
- Direct hires exempt from PDOS unless they have no prior experience at the same jobsite
- Professional workers may receive special briefing instead
Prohibition on Direct Hiring by Employers Registered with Licensed Recruitment Agencies
- Employers already accredited or registered with licensed Philippine recruitment agencies cannot directly hire workers
Transitional Provisions
- Direct hires with contracts or visas issued before the Memorandum Circular continue processing under previous rules
Processing at Regional POEA Centers
- Direct hire processing also available at POEA regional centers and extension units
Repealing Clause
- Previous inconsistent issuances are modified, amended, or repealed
Compliance
- Guidelines mandated for strict adherence as signed by POEA Administrator Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz