Authority and legal basis
- POEA (DOLE) Memorandum Circular No. 62 directs agencies and entities authorized to conduct Pre-Departure Orientation Seminars (PDOS).
- The circular functions as an administrative directive on PDOS content and emphasis for departing Overseas Filipino Workers (OCWs) and their dependents.
Policy purpose and intent
- POEA (DOLE) Memorandum Circular No. 62 is issued in response to reported increasing instances of Filipino workers and dependents being jailed or detained in Saudi Arabia.
- The circular requires heightened emphasis in PDOS to prevent trouble with Saudi authorities by promoting strict compliance with Saudi law and conduct expectations.
- The circular identifies failure to attend an “honest-to-goodness orientation prior to their departure” as a contributing factor to violations.
PDOS coverage and who must be reached
- POEA (DOLE) Memorandum Circular No. 62 applies to Filipino OCWs and their dependents who are bound for Saudi Arabia.
- The circular applies to all agencies and entities authorized to conduct PDOS for departing OCWs.
- The required PDOS emphasis must reach OCWs who are departing, including those whose status involves dependents.
Required PDOS emphasis for Saudi-bound workers
- PDOS providers must emphasize the need for departing OCWs to obey the strict Islamic Code of conduct and discipline.
- PDOS providers must emphasize strict discipline against prohibited acts in Saudi Arabia.
- PDOS providers must expressly emphasize avoiding illegal drug trafficking.
- PDOS providers must expressly emphasize avoiding liquor trafficking.
- PDOS providers must emphasize that obedience to these standards is necessary to avoid being subject to action by Saudi police authorities.
Consequences the circular seeks to prevent
- PDOS emphasis must be framed around avoiding detention or trouble with Saudi police authorities.
- PDOS emphasis must be framed around avoiding being jailed and/or repatriated.
Compliance mandate and enforcement stance
- POEA (DOLE) Memorandum Circular No. 62 requires strict compliance by all agencies and entities authorized to conduct PDOS.
- PDOS providers are obliged to ensure that their PDOS content includes the specified emphasis for departing OCWs.
- The directive is issued for strict compliance with Saudi legal and conduct expectations during pre-departure orientation.