SPECIAL CASES: DOJ / BI Memo on Departure Formalities

GUIDELINES ON DEPARTURE FORMALITIES FOR INTERNATIONAL-BOUND PASSENGERS IN ALL AIRPORTS AND SEAPORTS IN THE COUNTRY

DOJ-BI Memorandum dated 03 January 2012

Pursuant to Republic Act No. 9208, otherwise known as the “Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003”, and its Implementing Rules and Regulations, Republic Act No. 8042, otherwise known as the “Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995”, as amended by Republic Act No. 10022 and other related laws, the following guidelines, providing for definite parameters in the strict enforcement of immigration departure formalities intended for the prevention of trafficking in persons, illegal recruitment, and other related offenses, are hereby promulgated for strict implementation/compliance by all concerned:

1. FOR FINAL INTERVIEW/QUALIFYING EXAM

Workers to undergo final interview/qualifying exam as required by their prospective employers shall present the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration’s (POEA) Special Exit Clearance. In the absence of thereof, passengers shall not be cleared for departure.

2. ON THE JOB TRAINING

Travelers intending to depart to another country for the purpose of on-the-job training shall present the following additional documents:

• i. School certification on the need for on-the-job training
• ii. Acceptance by the host company
• iii. Certificate of Overseas Training by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED)

3. For relatives requesting for compassionate visit

To an irregular worker abroad, a certification from Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA-OUMWA) must be secured.

LATEST MEMO FROM DOJ/BI-MANILA: Guidelines on Departure Formalities for OFWs

GUIDELINES ON DEPARTURE FORMALITIES FOR INTERNATIONAL-BOUND PASSENGERS IN ALL AIRPORTS AND SEAPORTS IN THE COUNTRY
Latest Memorandum Dated 03 January 2012

Pursuant to Republic Act No. 9208, otherwise known as the “Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003”, and its Implementing Rules and Regulations, Republic Act No. 8042, otherwise known as the “Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995”, as amended by Republic Act No. 10022 and other related laws, the following guidelines, providing for definite parameters in the strict enforcement of immigration departure formalities intended for the prevention of trafficking in persons, illegal recruitment, and other related offenses, are hereby promulgated for strict implementation/compliance by all concerned:

OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS

• 1.First Time Overseas Filipino Workers

1.1 Travelers under this classification shall present the following documents as validated by the Labor Assistance Center (LAC):

• a) Passport
• b) Visa
• c) Airline/Sea craft Tickets
• d) Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC)

1.2 Allowable Visa Usage (Based on POEA Rules and Regulations)

Should there be any discrepancy in the actual job position/job title in the visa and in the Overseas Employment Certificate, travel may nevertheless be allowed provided that the POEA through its LAC, has validated and approved the variance based on the following:

• a) The visa category is related to the workers’ position or in line with the principal’s nature of business;
• b) The recruitment agency executes an Undertaking on Visa Usage; and
• c) The worker is aware of the visa discrepancy situation and has executed a Declaration of Awareness and Consent.

1.3 Instance When Visa Usage is NOT Allowed (Based on POEA Rules and Regulaions)

The use of Visa Usage Undertaking (VUU), however, does not, and can never, apply to Household Service Workers (HSW). The visa category should be strictly for household-based positions, otherwise, a traveler will not be cleared for departure and the aforementioned documents shall be confiscated for further investigation and appropriate action.

1.4 For Acts Involving Reprocessing of Contracts and Other Documents

OFWs in possession of “reprocessed” documents shall not be cleared for departure.

Based on R.A. No. 10022, the following constitute acts of reprocessing:

• 1. The job description/position as indicated in the work visa is different from all other pertinent documents such as the Overseas Employment Certificate, the PDOS Certificate, among others;
• 2. The actual job as promised or offered is different from the actual overseas work as indicated in the pertinent papers; and
• 3. The name of the employer or hiring company as indicated in the work visa and/or OEC are not one and the same.

All documents used under the afore-mentioned provision shall be confiscated and turned over to the POEA for further investigation and appropriate action.

• 2. Balik-manggagawa/ Returning Workers

DOJ/BI' Latest Memo: Departure Formalities for Tourist Travellers

GUIDELINES ON DEPARTURE FORMALITIES FOR INTERNATIONAL-BOUND PASSENGERS IN ALL AIRPORTS AND SEAPORTS IN THE COUNTRY

DOJ Manila Memorandum dated 03 January 2012

Pursuant to Republic Act No. 9208, otherwise known as the “Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003”, and its Implementing Rules and Regulations, Republic Act No. 8042, otherwise known as the “Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995”, as amended by Republic Act No. 10022 and other related laws, the following guidelines, providing for definite parameters in the strict enforcement of immigration departure formalities intended for the prevention of trafficking in persons, illegal recruitment, and other related offenses, are hereby promulgated for strict implementation/compliance by all concerned:   

TOURIST TRAVELERS

A traveler intending to go abroad with a tourist/temporary visitor’s visa shall be subjected to:

1. Primary Inspection

During primary inspection, the following documents shall be required from a traveler:

• a) Passport
• b) Visa when required
• c) Roundtrip Ticket

2. Secondary Inspection

THE OFW PROJECT: Coca-Cola Where Will Happiness Strike Next

Coca-Cola is the most popular and biggest-selling soft drink in history, as well as the best-known product in the world.

Created in Atlanta, Georgia, by Dr. John S. Pemberton, Coca-Cola was first offered as a fountain beverage by mixing Coca-Cola syrup with carbonated water. Coca-Cola was introduced in 1886, patented in 1887, registered as a trademark in 1893 and by 1895 it was being sold in every state and territory in the United States. In 1899, The Coca-Cola Company began franchised bottling operations in the United States.

OFFICIAL HOLIDAYS IN UAE

According to the Federal Law No 8 of 1980, Article 74 of  United Arab Emirates states the following: “Each worker shall be entitled to official holidays with pay on the following occasions:

A) New Year’s Day (Hijra): One day;

B) New Year’s Day (Christian): One day;

C) Eid Al Fitr: Two days;

D) Eid Al Adha: Three days;

Reminder for Balik Manggawa: OFW ADVISORIES / OEC CERTIFICATE

SAMAHANG PINOY KAWANGGAWA (Pinoy Charity Society): OFW ADVISORIES / OEC CERTIFICATE: OFW ADVISORY FROM POEA OFW VERIFICATION BALIK-MANGGAGAWA THROUGH POEA, PHILS. PHIL EMBASSY / POLO ABU DHABI LOCATION MAP...

ABU DHABI: FR. TROY'S 42nd SACERDOTAL ANNIVERSARY

St. Joseph's Church Abu Dhabi's Fr. Troy will be celebrating his 42nd Sacerdotal Anniversary on Tuesday, 30 August 2011 at St. Joseph's Cathedral 8pm.

We are encouraging all the Catholics to attend the service / mass celebration.

~ Samahang Pinoy Kawanggawa

www.isabelsaguinsin2.blogspot.com

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY CLOSED FOR EID AL FITR 2011

UAE: Phil Embassy / Consulate - 28 August 2011 to 01 September 2011
Tel. No. +971 2 658 2889 / 02 639 0006 / 04 254 4331

KSA: Phil Embassy / Consulate - 29 August 2011 to 03 September 2011
Tel No.: +9662 669 6303 / 667 0925

SAUDI ARABIA: COMPUTER COURSES FOR FILIPINOS

RIYADH: Filipino expatriates in the Kingdom who want to enhance their technical skills now have the opportunity to enroll in computer cluster courses.

The courses are offered by the Computer Society of Filipinos International, Inc. (COMSOFIL-CENTRAL), a Riyadh-based professional organization composed of volunteer IT experts.

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and Filipino expatriates, active and inactive members who are currently working and residing in the Kingdom who wants to enhance their technical knowledge and improve their level of  expertises and professional career, may now have the opportunity to enroll  and choose any of the computer cluster courses offered by the Computer Society of Filipinos International, Inc. (COMSOFIL-CENTRAL).

As part of the organization’s lofty mission-vision to professionalized OFWs in the Kingdom and to prepare them for their eventual  return to the country, the Computer Society of Filipinos International, Inc.,(a Riyadh-based professional organizations composed of Volunteer professional IT experts and specialists in the Kingdom, will conduct a 3-month in-house intensive cluster seminars on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) starting September 23, 2011 to December 9, 2011.

Workers With Six-month Labour Ban, UAE

People who have been slapped with a six-month labour ban for breaking their contracts before the expiry of two years can work for a new company, provided they hold at least a high school diploma and have been offered a good position and salary by the new company, employers were told by the Ministry of Labour last week.


To lift the ban, an employee should have been offered a minimum salary of Dh5,000 for high school graduates, Dh7,000 for diploma holders and Dh12,000 for bachelor’s degree holders.

The salary must be mentioned in the labour contract.

No fee will be imposed for lifting the ban when these conditions are met, Ali Al Shehi, Senior Administrator at the ministry, said in a seminar held to inform employers about their rights and duties as well as recent ministerial decisions.