Legal basis, policy, and purpose
- The circular is issued pursuant to Governing Board Resolution No. 05, Series of 2008, which provides for the documentation, registration, and deployment of direct hire Filipino seafarers.
- The guidelines are issued to provide better protection to direct hire Filipino seafarers.
- The circular directs that the guidelines are for the guidance of all concerned.
Scope: who qualifies as “direct hire”
- The guidelines cover direct hire seafarers who can secure a sea-based employment opportunity without the assistance or participation of a manning agency.
- The guidelines cover re-engaged direct hire seafarers who will work with the same employer under a new contract of employment.
- The guidelines require that re-engaged seafarers whose employer has subsequently tied up with a manning agency for manpower requirements be processed by the manning agency.
- The guidelines cover direct hire seafarers on emergency leave who return to the same employer to serve the unexpired portion of their employment contract.
- The guidelines apply to the seafarer categories listed under Section A and guide their documentation, registration, and deployment.
Documentary requirements for processing
New hires must submit the Standard Employment Contract for Filipino seafarers duly signed by the employer and seafarer, and verified by POLO or authenticated by the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate.
New hires must submit a valid Seafareras Identification and Record Book (SIRB) and a Seafareras Registration Certificate (SRC).
New hires must submit a duly accomplished OFW Information Sheet and a valid Certificate of Medical Fitness to work from a DOH-accredited medical clinic.
New hires must submit a valid passport, a guarantee letter from the principal on visa issuance, and a plane ticket or booking certificate.
New hires must submit Certificate of Attendance to the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) conducted by POEA’s Workers Education Division and a Certificate of Proficiency from the National Assessment Center (NAC).
New hires must submit Certificate of Competency from TESDA (if applicable) and Certificate of Competency from PRC (for Marine Officers).
New hires must submit a copy of vessel registration, if necessary.
Re-engaged direct hire seafarers must submit the Standard Employment Contract duly signed by employer and seafarer, and verified by POLO or authenticated by the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate.
Re-engaged direct hire seafarers must submit a valid SIRB, SRC, duly accomplished OFW Information Sheet, and a valid passport.
Re-engaged direct hire seafarers must submit a plane ticket or booking certificate and a guarantee letter of the principal on visa issuance.
Returning direct hire seafarers must submit a copy of the verified or authenticated Standard Employment Contract duly processed by POEA.
Returning direct hire seafarers must submit a valid SIRB, SRC, plane ticket or booking certificate, and a duly accomplished OFW Information Sheet.
Medical exam and pre-departure orientation
- All direct hire seafarers must undergo a pre-employment medical examination (PEME) at a medical hospital or clinic accredited to conduct PEME for overseas workers by the Department of Health or a foreign embassy or consulate in Manila where medical examination is required for visa issuance.
- The medical certificate presented to the embassy/consulate must be valid and issued not more than three (3) months prior to submission to POEA for contract processing.
- All direct hires must attend a pre-departure orientation seminar to be conducted by POEA.
Fees upon processing contracts
- New hires and re-engaged seafarers must pay a POEA processing fee of P200.00 upon processing of the employment contract.
- New hires and re-engaged seafarers must pay OWWA contribution of US$25 or its peso equivalent upon processing of the employment contract.
- Returning seafarers must pay a POEA processing fee of P100.00 upon processing of the employment contract.
Ban on direct hiring by manning-agency accredited employers
- Foreign employers registered/accredited with a licensed Philippine manning agency are not allowed to directly hire Filipino seafarers.
- Direct hires whose employers are already accredited/registered with a manning agency must be referred to the manning agency for processing of their employment contracts.
Transitory processing, regional centers, and repeal
- Direct hires whose contracts were verified and/or whose visas were issued on or before the effectivity of this Memorandum Circular are processed by POEA, subject to compliance with documentary requirements and clearance by the Administrator.
- Seafarers may be processed as direct hires at any POEA Regional Centers and Regional Extension Units in the provinces in accordance with these guidelines.
- All previous issuances inconsistent with these guidelines are deemed modified, amended, and/or repealed.