Philippines Recruitment Fees - TWC2twc2.org.sg/.../uploads/2017/04/Philippines-Recruitment-Fees.pdf · advertisements, supervising the government’s anti-illegal recruitment programme,

RecruitmentCosts–Philippines,September2016 Page1of20

ResearchBriefMigrantWorkerRecruitmentCosts

Philippines

DavidDickinsonSeptember2016ThePhilippinesisamajorcountryoforiginofmigrantworkersemployedintheMiddleEast,EastandSoutheastAsia,particularlyinservicesandproduction-relatedoccupations. ThePhilippineOverseasEmploymentAdministration(POEA)isacentralgovernmentagencyassignedtomonitorandsupervisearound1,300privaterecruitmentagenciesacrossthePhilippines.Itisresponsiblefortheirlicensing,hearingandarbitratingcomplaints,managingincentivesandpenalties,andsettinghiringprocedureswithin which agencies or their principals must operate. Recruitment fees for most categories ofworkersaresetatamaximumofonemonthofsalary,thoughitisillegaltochargeanyplacementfeeto domesticworkers and seafarers. Various documentation costs are chargeable and according toPOEAshouldtotalaboutUS$500.POEAisresponsiblefornegotiatingbilateralagreementswithcountriesfortheprotectionofworkersandalsoadministershiringschemeswiththeSouthKoreaandTaiwangovernments.Italsoprovidesadirecthiringserviceforgovernment jobs inothercountries (suchas inpublichospitals). POEAalsoadministersanemigrationclearanceschemethataimstoensurethatemployeeshavebeenrecruitedusingcorrectprocedures.EventhoughcentralisedcontrolandwellestablishedprocedureshaveprovidedbetterprotectiontoFilipinooverseasworkersincomparisontothosefromothercountries,therecontinuetobeproblemsofexcessivefeestogetherwithfalsifieddocumentation.Whilesignificantnumbersofagentshavetheirlicencescancelledeveryyear(54in2014)andthePOEAhearsover4,000newcomplaintseachyear,

RecruitmentCosts–Philippines,September2016 Page2of20TWC2RecruitmentCostsResearchWorkingGroup

criticshavepointedtoalackoftrulypunitivemeasuresandtothecurrentmethodofdisputemediationthatisfocusedonconciliationastworeasonswhymalpracticespersistamongstagents.

Background

ExtentofOverseasEmployment

OverseasemploymentofFilipinoworkersisveryimportanttothePhilippineseconomy.In2015

remittancestotalledaroundUSD28.5billion,contributingalmost10%toGDP1.Theyareanimportant

sourceofforeigncurrencyearningsandhelpedrelieveunder-andun-employment.In2014therewere

1,431,000Filipinoworkersdeployedoverseas2asnewhiresorre-hiredinthatyear.Themajor

destinationcountriesandregionsareshowninthefollowingtable.

DeployedLand-basedOverseasFilipinoWorkersbyDestination,NewHiresandRe-hires

DestinationCountry 2010 2014 Increase CAGR*

SaudiArabia 293,049 402,837 109,788 8.3%

UnitedArabEmirates 201,214 246,231 45,017 5.2%

Singapore 70,251 140,205 69,954 18.9%

Qatar 87,813 114,511 26,698 6.9%

HongKong 101,340 105,737 4,397 1.1%

Kuwait 53,010 70,098 17,088 7.2%

Taiwan 36,866 58,681 21,815 12.3%

Malaysia 9,802 31,451 21,649 33.8%

Bahrain 15,434 18,958 3,524 5.3%

Canada 13,885 18,107 4,222 6.9%

Italy 25,595 14,786 -10,809 -12.8%

Europe(Ex.Italy) 22,584 15,164 -7,420 -9.5%

Americas(Ex.Canada) 11,728 9,508 -2,220 -5.1%

Africa 25,207 22,240 -2,967 -3.1%

Oceania 12,341 21,311 8,970 14.6%

Asia(other) 62,549 84,032 21,483 7.7%

MiddleEast(Other) 33,540 32,906 -634 -0.5%

Other 47,468 24,079 -23,389 -15.6%

Total 1,123,676 1,430,842 307,166 6.2%

1WorldBankGroup,April2016,“MigrationandRemittancesRecentDevelopmentsandOutlook”,MigrationandDevelopmentBrief26,pages19-21.2ThesestatisticsrelatetopeopleleavingthePhilippines.Theyarenotthesameasdestinationcountrystatisticswhichoftencountthenumbersalreadyworkingwithinacountry.Neverthelesstheyprovidesomeindicationofmajordestinationsandemploymenttypes.

RecruitmentCosts–Philippines,September2016 Page3of20

Source:PhilippineOverseasEmploymentAdministration(POEA),2010–2014OverseasEmploymentStatistics.

*Compoundedannualgrowthrate.http://www.poea.gov.ph/stats/2014%20POEA%20Stats.pdf

MiddleEasternandAsiancountriesaccountedforover91%ofalldestinationsin2014.Thelargest

numbersofworkerswereemployedinSaudiArabiaandUnitedArabEmirates,followedbySingapore.In

termsofgrowthoverthefouryearsto2014,MalaysiaandSingaporestandoutasthefastestgrowing

destinations,withannualnumbersincreasingby34%and19%respectively.

DeployedLand-basedOverseasFilipinoWorkersbyMajorOccupationalGroup-NewHires

2010 2014 Increase CAGR*

Professional,TechnicalandRelated 41,835 53,296 11,461 6.2%

AdministrativeandManagerial 1,439 1,909 470 7.3%

Clerical 10,706 11,579 873 2.0%

Sales 7,242 8,402 1,160 3.8%

Services 154,535 251,747 97,212 13.0%

Agriculture 1,122 2,462 1,340 21.7%

Production 120,647 149,008 28,361 5.4%

Other 4,440 8,783 4,343 18.6%

Total 341,966 478,176 136,210 8.7%

Source:PhilippineOverseasEmploymentAdministration(POEA),2010–2014OverseasEmployment

*Compoundedannualgrowthrate.Statistics.http://www.poea.gov.ph/stats/2014%20POEA%20Stats.pdf

Byoccupation,servicesandproductionworkerswerethemajorgroups.

RecruitmentIndustryStructure3

RecruitmentagenciescametoplayasignificantroleinthePhilippines’riseasacountryoforiginof

workersfromthe1970s,fuelledbythegrowingdemandforFilipinoworkerswhichthegovernment

(throughtheOverseasEmploymentDevelopmentBoardoftheMinistryofLaborandEmployment,at

thattime)couldnotcopewith.Ascompetitionforjobsintensified,irregularitiesintherecruitmentand

placementprocessincreasedandpromptedthegovernmenttotryandeaseouttheprivatesectorinthe

recruitmentprocess.This,however,provedtobeunsuccessfulduetothestrongpositionofthe

recruitmentindustryandtheexpandingoverseasemploymentprogramme.

3Thisdiscussiondrawsheavilyfrom:InternationalLabourOrganization(ILO),July2013,“AssessmentofthePOEAAwardsSystemforLicensedLand-basedandSea-basedAgencies”.http://www.ilo.org/global/topics/labour-migration/publications/WCMS_227524/lang--en/index.htm

RecruitmentCosts–Philippines,September2016 Page4of20

Instead,governmentredirecteditsfocustotheregulationoftheprivatesectorandestablishedthe

PhilippineOverseasEmploymentAdministration(POEA)in1982tooverseetheindustry.ThePOEAhas

fourcorefunctionsincludingindustryregulation,employmentfacilitation,workerprotection,and

generaladministrativeandsupportservices.TheregulatoryfunctionsofthePOEAmayincludebutare

notlimitedtothefollowing:licensingofrecruitmentandmanningagencies,hearingandarbitratingcases

andcomplaintsfiledagainstrecruitment/manningagencies,implementingasystemofincentivesand

penaltiesforprivatesectorparticipants,settingminimumlabourstandards,monitoringoverseasjob

advertisements,supervisingthegovernment’santi-illegalrecruitmentprogramme,andimposing

disciplinaryactionsagainstemployers,workersandseafarers.

AccordingtotheILO,incomparisontootherorigincountries,thePhilippineshasbeenabletopromote

betterworkingconditionsforoverseasFilipinoworkers(OFWs)duetoitsrelativelyhighdegreeof

institutionalizationoflabourmigration.Thereareperhapsmarketfactorsatplaytoo:thereisademand

insomecountries,includingSingapore,forworkerswhoareproficientinEnglishanditisalsothecase

thatFilipinostendtoberegardedasbeingbettertrainedand/ormorehighlyskilledthanmostother

migrantworkers,whichwouldgivethemanadvantageinseekingimprovedemploymentterms.

TheprivateagencyindustryinthePhilippinesislarge,withapproximately1,300licencedagencies(circa

900recruitingforland-basedjobsandcirca400recruitingforseafaringjobs).Rulesgoverningtheir

establishment,proceduresforrecruitmentanddocumentationareextensiveandwererevised4byPOEA

inearly2016.

RegulationsassociatedwithRecruitmentFees

• Norecruitmentfees5arepayablebydomesticworkersorbyanyworkersrecruitedtowork

intheUSA(H2Bvisa),Canada,theUK,IrelandandtheNetherlandsduetorulesinthose

countries.

• Allotheremployeesshouldbesubjecttoamaximumrecruitmentfeenotexceedingone

month’ssalary.TheworkerisrequiredtopaythefeeonlyaftersigningthePOEAapproved

contract.Areceiptmustbeissuedstatingthedateofpaymentandexactamountpaid.The

rulesclearlyprohibittheapplicationofotherchargesas“fees”totheworker6.

• CoststhatarechargeabletotheworkerareextensivelydocumentedinPOEA’srules.They

includedocumentationcostsincurredwithinthePhilippineswhichcovertheobtainingof

personaldocumentation(passports,birthcertificates,andtranscripts),medicalexamination

costsandskillstestingfortheissuanceofCertificatesofCompetencybytheTechnical

4POEA2016,“RevisedPOEARulesandRegulationsGoverningtheRecruitmentandEmploymentofLandBasedOverseasFilipinoWorkersof2016.http://www.poea.gov.ph/laws&rules/files/Revised%20POEA%20Rules%20And%20Regulations.pdf5WehaveusedthetermRecruitmentfeeshere,thoughtheyaredescribedasPlacementfeesbyPOEA.6POEA2016,Rule5Fees,CostsandContributions,Section54.

RecruitmentCosts–Philippines,September2016 Page5of20

EducationandSkillsDevelopmentAuthority(TESDA).Thesecostsmustbedocumented.

AnyothercostsmustbeapprovedbyPOEApriortoimposition.

• Servicefeesareonlychargeabletoprincipals(theemployerorhis/heragent).

• CostthataretheresponsibilityoftheemployercoverVisa,roundtripairfares,

transportationfromairportstojobsites,workandresidentialpermits,POEAprocessingfees

andOverseasWorkersWelfareAdministration7(OWWA)membershipcostsandany

additionaltradetestingorassessments.

Thetotalcostforworkers8shouldbearoundUS$100plusaplacementfeeofonemonthofsalary,if

applicable.Thelargestadditionalcostsbornebyworkersareusuallyfortraininginordertopassthe

TechnicalEducationandSkillsDevelopmentAuthority(TESDA)assessment.AccordingtotheNGO,The

FAIRHiringInitiative,workerscanpayanywherefromPHP17,000-60,000(US$370-US$1,300)foracourse

inclusiveofaccommodations,meals,andtransportationtoManila,CebuorDavaowherethecoursesare

run.InsomecasesapplicantsstayinManilaformonths,oftenmadetoworkattheagencyowner’s

homeorputtoworkelsewhere,butarechargedforhousingandmeals.AccordingtoTheFAIRHiring

Initiative,noneofthesefeesaremonitoredbythePOEA.

ProceduresfortheHiringofEmployees

Inordertoeliminateillegalpracticesassociatedwithlabourtrafficking,thePhilippinesrequiresall

employersandprospectiveemployeestofollowproceduressetbylaw.

Recruitment

POEAstipulates9thatforeigncompaniesmustplacetheirmanpowerrequirementsthroughPOEA-

licensedprivateemploymentagencies.APhilippine-licensedagencymayadvertise,screenandinterview

applicantsaspartofitsservicesfortheforeignprincipaloragent.

Theoffshoreemployer(ortheiroffshoreagent)whohasidentifiedaPhilippineagenttosource

employeesmustsubmittherecruitmentdocumentstoaPhilippineOverseasLaborOffice(POLO)ata

PhilippineEmbassyorConsulateforverification.Thisistoensurethattheemployerislegitimateandthe

termsandconditionsofemploymentareacceptable.

7TheOverseasWorkersWelfareAdministration(OWWA)ispartoftheDepartmentofLaborandEmployment(DOLE)andlikePOEAistaskedtoprotectandpromotethewelfareandwell-beingofOverseasFilipinoWorkers(OFWs)andtheirdependents.WhilePOEAprovidessupporttoworkerswhiletheyareinthePhilippines,OWWAsupportsworkersaftertheyhavebeendeployedoverseas.DocumentedOFWsgotoOWWAtoknowtheirbenefits,howtoavailthem,orrequestassistancewhenoverseas.See:http://www.ofwabroad.com/2013/08/05/what-is-the-difference-between-poea-and-owwa/#sthash.rmYejGaq.dpuf8EstimatesprovidesbytheTheFAIRHiringInitiative,MarieApostol.9http://www.poea.gov.ph/about/hiring.htm

RecruitmentCosts–Philippines,September2016 Page6of20

BeforeleavingthePhilippines,workersarerequiredtoundergomedicalexaminationsatgovernment-

accreditedmedicalclinicsorhospitalsandmustbetrade-testedortrainedattrainingcentresauthorized

bythegovernment.

ImmigrationClearance

Afterdocumentationandtrainingiscomplete,workersmustobtainaPhilippinesexitclearance

documentcalledanOverseasEmploymentCertificate(OEC).Thiscertifiesthattherecruitmentand

documentationiscorrectandalsoprovidesrelieffromon-shoretravelandairportterminaltaxes/fees.

AnIDcardisalsoissuedtoserveasproofofoverseasemploymentforfutureentrancetoandexitfrom

thePhilippines.

DirectHiringSchemesadministeredbyPOEA

GovernmenttoGovernment

POEAoffersadirecthiringfacilityforoverseaspublicsectorjobssuchasingovernment-runhospitalsin

othercountriesthroughitsGovernmentPlacementBranch(GPB).In2011(thelatestyeardatais

available)itplaced5,784workers,butthisrepresentedonly1.3%ofthetotalpeopledeployedinland-

basedforeignjobsthatyear.

SpecialHiringProgramforTaiwan

InAugust2015thePhilippineOverseasEmploymentAdministration(POEA)launchedaSpecialHiring

Program10forTaiwan(SHPT)underagovernment-to-governmentagreementunderwhichPOEAwill

facilitatetheprocessingofoverseasFilipinoworkersapplyingformanufacturing,construction,fishery,

domesticserviceandcare-givingjobsinTaiwan.Applicantscompleteaninternet-basedapplication11

selectingTaiwanastheirdestination.AccordingtoPOEA,ifselectedbyapotentialTaiwaneseemployer,

theypayaboutUS$500beforeembarkationandpost-arrivalsalarydeductionsofuptoUS$20permonth

forinformalworkers(domestichelpers)andbetweenUS$29toUS$248intheformalemploymentsector

(suchasmanufacturing).Monthlydeductionscoverinsurance,foodandaccommodationandtaxes.The

POEAsaysthatthesechargesaremuchlowerthanthePHP90,000(US$2,000)toPHP160,000(US$3,500)

somerecruitmentagencieschargeworkers.Employersusingthesystemsaveagencyintroductionfees12

(presentlyNT$20,008(US$633)).

KoreaEmploymentPermitSystem(EPS-KLT)

10MedenillaSamuel,August31,2015,“POEAlaunchesdirecthiringserviceforTaiwanjobs”,ManilaBulletin.http://www.mb.com.ph/poea-launches-direct-hiring-service-for-taiwan-jobs/#0Pq19IpOjM0GX7Rt.9911http://www.epoeaservices.poea.gov.ph/ereg/ereg.asp12TaiwanNews,August32015,“Taiwan,Philippinessigncooperationguidelinesforhiringworkers”http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=2781298

RecruitmentCosts–Philippines,September2016 Page7of20

SouthKorea’sEmploymentPermitSystem(EPS)isagovernment-runhiringschemeforforeignworkers

whichwassetuptocurbillegalrecruitmentandabuse.TheschemeistheonlywayforSouthKorean

employerstolegallyaccessforeignworkers.KoreanLanguageTraining(KLT)isrequiredundertheEPS

andapplicantsmustpassatestinordertobelistedforprospectiveemployers.Thereareagelimitsand

minimumeducationrequirementsthatmustalsobemet.

POEAcoordinatesPhilippines-sideregistration,trainingandtestingassociatedwiththesystem.Jobsin

Koreaformaleforeignworkersareusuallyinconstruction,manufacturing,andagriculturewhilefemale

workerstendtoworkintheclothingandelectronicsindustries.Approximately1340,000Filipinoswere

workinginSouthKoreaunderthisschemeby2012.

WhiletheEPShasadvantagesforemployees,therehasbeencriticismandcallsforittobestrengthened.

TheOpenWorkingGrouponLabourMigrationandRecruitment14haspointedoutthatwhilerecruitment

feesforworkersfromthePhilippinesarelowunderthisscheme,thoseforworkersfromothercountries

canbemuchhigher.Theyalsosuggestthatquotasappliedtoworkersinthecountryoforigincan

unfairlyaffectapplicantswhopayforskillsandlanguagetrainingonlytomissoutonplacements.Other

criticismsincludethecontinueduseofemployer-tiedvisasthatdeteremployeesfromassertingtheir

rightswhenabusesoccur.

IncentivisingandControllingAgents

AgencyAwards

POEAhasbeenrunninganagencyawardsschemesince1984toincentivisegoodpracticeintheindustry.

TheschemeislinkedtoPOEA’sevaluationofagencyperformanceinconnectionwiththeagencies’

licenserenewal.Thereareseveralawards15basedonmultiplecriteria(deploymentrates,technical

capabilities,compliancewithrules,leadershipandsocialawareness),aswellasspecialcitationsor

awardstoagenciesthatdemonstrateexemplaryperformanceaccordingtospecificcriteria,suchas

deployingdisplacedworkersorextendingeffortstoprovidesupporttoOFWsintimesofcrisis.Toqualify

fortheawards,licensedagenciesmustnothavehadanysuspensionoflicences,nomorethana

minimumratioofcomplaintsrelativetodeployedworkers,andshouldhavedeployedatleast1,000

workersoverthereviewperiod(nowfouryears).

AnassessmentoftheschemeundertakenbytheILO16in2014concludedthat,onthewhole,thescheme

wasausefulpartofPOEA’sgovernanceoftherecruitmentindustry,thoughimprovementscouldbe

13PhilippineNewsAgency,December14,2012,“POEAoffersfasterprocessforPinoysseekingjobsinKorea”,http://www.interaksyon.com/article/50400/poea-provides-faster-process-for-pinoys-seeking-jobs-in-korea14OpenWorkingGrouponLabourMigrationandRecruitment,PolicyBrief#2,2014“SouthKorea’sEmploymentPermitSystem.ASuccessfulGovernment-to-GovernmentModel?”15Seethefollowinglinkforawardtypesandevaluationcategories:http://www.poea.gov.ph/mcs/MC%202013/MC-03-2013.pdf16InternationalLabourOrganization(ILO),2014“AnAssessmentofthePhilippineOverseasEmploymentAdministration’s(POEA)AgencyPerformanceAwards”,MarujaM.B.AsisandStellaP.Go.

RecruitmentCosts–Philippines,September2016 Page8of20

made.Forexample,knowledgeoftheawardswasnotextensiveandthereweremisunder-standingsof

theirpurposeandbasis.Itwasalsonotedthattheviewsofmigrantworkers17werenottakeninto

accountintheassessmentprocess.AccordingtoTheFAIRHiringInitiative,theawardsdonotreally

incentivizegoodpracticessuchaszerofeestoworkers,non-retentionofpassports,effectivegrievance

mechanisms,ensuringworkersclearlyunderstandcontracttermsorgoodpost-deploymentworker

communicationchannels.Thefocusonlargerfirmsbasedonquantityofdeploymentalsointroduces

bias.

Punitivemeasures

Underrules18introducedin2002,variouspenalties,includingsuspensionandcancellationofagency

licenses,areused.Violationsareclassifiedas“serious”,“lessserious”and“light”.Seriousoffences,

includingoverchargingofrecruitmentfees,arepunishablebytheimmediatecancellationoftheagency’s

licenseforafirstoffence.For“lessserious”violations,suchasprematurecollectionoffeesorcollection

offeesfromaworkerwithoutissuingareceipt19,theagency’slicenseiscancelledonlyonthethird

offence;however,thefirsttwooffencesarepunishablebyasuspensionoftwotosixmonthsandsix

monthstooneyear,respectively.Lightviolations,suchasfailuretodeployaworkerwithinthe

prescribedperiodwithoutavalidreason,resultinthelicence’scancellationonlyonthefourthoffence.

Immediatelyfollowingthissystem’sintroduction,recruitmentviolationclaimsfiledagainstagencies,

includingseriousviolations,declineddrastically.However,thevolumeofviolationclaimsrosemarkedly

from2005to2009,suggestingthatthedeterrenteffectwastemporary20.

Basedonconciliation21,thecomplaintsresolutionprocessisintendedtoleadtoamicablesettlementsof

cases,butithasbeensuggestedthatitallowsagenciesthathavetransgressedtherulestogetawaywith

lighterpenalties22.Whilethisisadeficiency,conciliationisthepreferredmodeofdisputesettlement

becauseitavoidspotentiallylongandlitigiouscourtprocesseswhichwouldprobablyresultinfarfewer

casesbeingsurfaced.Nevertheless,NGO’s23haveposedthequestionofwhetherworkersrefrainfrom

reportingabusessuchasoverchargingthroughfearoflosingworkopportunities.In2015,POEA

http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---asia/---ro-bangkok/---ilo-manila/documents/publication/wcms_316229.pdf17AccordingtoTheFAIRHiringInitiative,theassessmentofagenciesisbasedlargelyonadeskreviewandresultsarenotcorroboratedbyinterviewswithworkers.Asaresultaward-winningagencieshavebeenfoundlatertobecomplicitinseriousviolationsofworkers’rights,whichputstheawardsscreeningprocessintoquestion.18ILO2014,pages30to36.19AccordingtoTheFAIRHiringInitiativenon-issuanceofreceiptsinordertonotleavepapertrailsispotentiallylinkedtoseriousoverchargingviolations.Sometimestheextentofoverchargingisconcealedbyonlyissuingreceiptsforallowablefeesorcosts.20ILO2014,page31.21In2010,DOLEestablishedSingleEntryApproachDesks(SEADs)nationwidetoserveasentrypointsinspeedinguptheresolutionofcasesaffectingworkers,employersandagents.Underthisapproachalldisputesundergoa30-daymandatoryconciliation-mediationprocesstoeffectsettlement.OnlyunresolvedcasesarethensubjecttoeithervoluntaryorcompulsoryarbitrationundertheNationalLaborRelationsCommission(NLRC).22ILO2014,page32.23TheFAIRHiringInitiative.PersonalcommunicationofMarieApostol.

RecruitmentCosts–Philippines,September2016 Page9of20

adjudicated24over4,000newcases.Mostwererelatedtocollectionofexcessivefees,non-issuanceof

receipts,misrepresentation,withholdingworkers’traveldocuments,andfailuretodeploythehired

workers.

Whatismoredifficulttomonitoranderadicatearetheactivitiesoftheillegalrecruitmentagencies25and

individuals.Thisistackledusingsurveillanceoperations,legalassistancetovictimsofillegalrecruitment

andinformationandeducationcampaigns.Forexamplein2015POEAintroducedamobilephone

applicationwherejobseekerscanverifytherecruitmentagency’slicensestatus.Over100,000copiesof

theapplicationhadbeendownloadedbytheendoftheyear.

Licencing

AgenciesseekinglicencesneedtomeetvariouscriteriasetoutinPOEA’srules.Oneimportantcriterion

istoensurethattheyareofasufficientsizeandhavethedepthofcapitaltorespondtotheneedsofthe

deployedworkersshouldtherebeproblems.Licencesrequireaminimumcapitalization;anescrowand

savingsaccountdepositminimums,asuretybondandpaymentofalicencefee.Whenlicencesare

renewed,escrowamountsareadjustedupwardsbasedonthenumberofpendingrecruitmentviolations

casesinvolvingtheagent.Thesetermsareintendedtodeterbadpractitionersandthosewhowould

simplybeunabletosustaintheiroperationsinanethicalway.26

ResolvingdisputesinthecountryofemploymentafterreturningtothePhilippines

UnderthePhilippineLabourCode,thereisprovisionforJointandSolidaryLiabilityforemployeeclaims

whichmeansthatboththePhilippinerecruitmentagencyandtheforeignprincipal/employercanbeheld

individuallyliablefortheentireamountofaclaimorobligationduetotheFilipinoworkerwhileworking

abroad.

Thisprovisionwasintroducedtohelpmigrantworkerstotakeactionagainsttheirforeignemployers.

Onceemploymentisterminated,migrantworkershaveveryfewoptionsastheyarefrequentlydeported

oropttoreturntothePhilippineswithoutreceivingtheirunpaidsalaries,benefitsandothermonetary

claims.Oncebacktheyhavenomeanstoseekcompensationfromforeignemployersortheirforeign

agents.

Onceajudgmentismadeinfavouroftheworker,thePhilippinesagentisliabletopaycompensation

fromcourtbonds,escrowdepositsrequiredforsecuringoperatinglicences,insurances,orassetsofthe

24POEANewsAdvisory,December18,2015,“POEAnearstargetindispositionofcases”,25ILO2014,pages34and35.26Ontheotherhand,itcanbearguedthattheycouldalsoimpedetheestablishmentofnewagenciessetupontheavowedbasisofprovidingservicestoworkersinanequitableway.Onepossibleanswertothisproblemwouldbetoincentivisethem,perhapsbyallowingforreducedfinancialcommitmentsinexchangeforrequiringthemtoacceptahigherlevelofscrutinyorofferingsomeotherencouragement.

RecruitmentCosts–Philippines,September2016 Page10of20

agencyoritsprincipals.Itisthensubsequentlyuptotheagenttotakeactionagainsttheemployerinthe

foreigncountry.

Inpractice27thelegalprocessislongandoftenbeyondthemeansofareturningworker.Securityfor

monetaryclaimscanalsobeinsufficientandsometimestheagencyconcernedhasceasedoperationsand

hasnoknownassets.Furthermore,theforeignemployerismostlynotheldaccountablefortheviolation

ofrightsofthemigrantworkerasthePhilippinerecruitmentagencyusuallyabsorbsthecostsduetothe

difficultiesandcostsofpursuingtheotherpartyinforeigncourts.

MigrantForuminAsiahasmadeseveralrecommendations28includingsimplifyingthelegalprocess,

requiringforeignemployerstopostbondsinPhilippineEmbassies/consulatestoanswerworkerclaims,

andtoestablishbilateralagreementswithcountriesofdestinationtoprovideon-sitemechanismsforthe

equitableandspeedyresolutionofclaims.

OtherInitiatives

Inmid-2015,POEAintroducedanonlineversionofthePre-EmploymentOrientationSeminardesignedto

provideeasyaccesstoinformationonoverseasemployment.Asidefromthestep-by-steplearning

modules,thesystemalsocontainsvideoandslidepresentationsonhowtoapplyforoverseasjobs,the

expensesandcostsinvolved,howtoavoidillegalrecruitment,andtheprosandconsofworking

overseas.Some75,000usersregisteredwiththeserviceinthesecondhalfof2015.

In2014,POEAruledthatagenciesmustestablishFacebook(FB)accountsthatareopentoplaced

employees.AccordingtoPOEA,FBisaneffectivecommunicationplatformforworkerstoallowthemto

maintaincontactwiththeirfamilies,reportproblemsandfordocumentationofcomplaints.Someinthe

agencyindustryreactednegativelytothisinitiative29,thoughitwaswidelysupported.

Asmanyoftheregulatorylimitations(especiallyonfees)stemfromdualjurisdictionaldifficulties,POEA

continuestopursuethebilateralagreementswithdestinationcounties.In2015itwasworkingwith

SaudiArabiaandKuwaitasapriority.ExistingagreementsaresetoutinAttachment1.

EffectivenessofCurrentPolicies

EventhoughthePhilippineshasextensiveregulationsandproceduresinplacetoprotectworkersgoing

abroad,casesofabusespersistonandoff-shore.AccordingtotheILO,thereareloopholesthatbreed

irregularitiesandviolationsthatunderminetheprotectionoftheseworkers.TheInternational

27MigrantForuminAsia,“PolicyBriefNo.11:Joint&SeveralLiabilityofRecruitment/PlacementAgencieswiththePrincipal/EmployerunderPhilippineLaws”.Winter2014.Thisbriefexploresthewholeissuethoroughly.28ibid.Page6.29InterAksyon.com,July13,2015,“POEAchiefrespondstorecruiters'plantoproteststrictanti-traffickingenforcement”,http://www.interaksyon.com/article/114078/poea-chief-responds-to-recruiters-plan-to-protest-strict-anti-trafficking-enforcement.

RecruitmentCosts–Philippines,September2016 Page11of20

OrganizationforMigration’s2013PhilippineCountryMigrationReport30suggestedthatoneofthe

country’schallengeswastoeffectivelyadministerlegalprovisionsandpoliciesthatwerealreadyinplace.

Illegalpractices,particularlytheoverchargingofrecruitmentfeesandcontractsubstitutiontoavoid

compliancewithPOEArules,havemarredthesectorforalongtimeand,intheIOM’sview,thepunitive

measureshavenotproducedthenecessaryresults.

ErrantpracticesbyagenciesinthePhilippinesstillappeartobewidespread.POEAcancelledthe

licences31of54agentsin2014(63in2013),orabout5%ofalllicencedagents.Manymoreagentswould

havecommittedoffences,thoughnotsosevereorfrequentastotriggerlicencecancellations.

POEAhasfacedcriticismsofover-regulationandburdensomeprocesses32fromwithintheindustry,

especiallyfordelaysinprocessingtheOverseasEmploymentCertificate(OEC),agovernmentdocument

issuedtoeverydepartingOFW33.POEAhasresponded34bystreamliningproceduresandintroducing

moreon-lineandinternet-basedprocessesthatprovidefasteraccesstoOECs.

ThereareclearlyproblemswiththePhilippines’regulatoryframework–perhapsthemost

comprehensiveofanycountryoforigin–asfarasmigrantworkersareconcerned,tojudgebyevidence

fromcountriesofdestination.InSingapore,TWC2encountersdomesticworkerswhocamewithoutgoing

throughtheofficialframework:theyleftthePhilippinesastouristsandfoundjobsoncetheyarrived.

Whenquestioned,theysaidthatinthisway,theysavedhavingtobearanycostsinthePhilippines.Those

assistedbyillegalrecruitersenduppayinglessthantheywouldbygoingthroughthePOEArouteand

thereforedonotconsiderthemselvestobe“victims”ofillegalrecruiters.

ManyworkersaskedaboutthecostofobtainingajobinSingaporereportpayingamountswellinexcess

ofmaximumsstipulatedbythePhilippinesandSingaporegovernments.Significantsalarydeductions

seemtobeacceptedasnormalbymanyworkers.Atthetimeofwriting,itisunclearhowthismoneyis

ultimatelydividedbetweenSingaporeandPhilippineagenciesorwhattheostensiblepurposeofthe

chargesis.Whatisclearisthat,despitethePhilippines’zero-feeruleandSingapore’scapofafeeequal

totwomonths’salaryforatwoyearcontractperiodforSingaporeagencies,many-probablymost-

Filipinadomesticworkersarepayingexcessivesalarydeductions,thoughTWC2researchsuggeststhat

therehasbeensomereductioninthesalarydeductionperiod.Thismayinpartbeduetosalariestending

30InternationalOrganizationforMigration,ScalabriniMigrationCenter&GovernmentofthePhilippines,2013,“CountryMigrationReport:ThePhilippines”,page207.https://www.iom.int/files/live/sites/iom/files/Country/docs/CMReport-Philipines-2013.pdf31POEANewsAdvisory,10April2015,“POEAlistsrecruitmentagencieswithlicensescancelledin2014”http://www.poea.gov.ph/news/2015/PR_April2015_Cancelled_Agencies.pdf32InterAksyon.com,July13,2015,“POEAchiefrespondstorecruiters'plantoproteststrictanti-traffickingenforcement”http://www.interaksyon.com/article/114078/poea-chief-responds-to-recruiters-plan-to-protest-strict-anti-trafficking-enforcement33ArabNews,Wednesday15July2015,“WhyOFWsmustrallybehindPOEAchief”,http://www.arabnews.com/news/776721?quicktabs_stat2=034POEANewsRelease,December18,2015,“ImplementationofonlinesystemstopsPOEA’s2015accomplishments”,http://www.poea.gov.ph/news/2015/2015.htm

RecruitmentCosts–Philippines,September2016 Page12of20

torisefasterthanagencychargesinthepastfewyears,butthereisreasontothinkthatthecurbson

agencychargesimposedbythePhilippinesandSingaporegovernmentshavealsohadapositiveimpact,

atleastforsomeworkers.

ThefullextentofthisproblemmaybedisguisedfromthegovernmentofthePhilippinesbythepractice

ofcontractsubstitution,inwhichmanydomesticworkerscooperate,believingthatthealternativeto

acceptingtermsinferiortothosestipulatedinthePhilippinesistonotfindajob.

Overall,despitethePhilippinesputtingintoplaceaseriesofmeasuresintendedtocurbrecruitmentcosts

formigrantworkers,manyarestillburdenedwithcoststhatdeferanddetractfromthebenefitstheyhad

hopedtogainthroughworkingoverseas.

RecruitmentCosts–Philippines,September2016 Page13of20

ReferencesInterAksyon.com,July13,2015,“POEAchiefrespondstorecruiters'plantoproteststrictanti-trafficking

enforcement”http://www.interaksyon.com/article/114078/poea-chief-responds-to-recruiters-plan-to-protest-strict-anti-trafficking-enforcement

InternationalLabourOrganization(ILO),July2013,“AssessmentofthePOEAAwardsSystemforLicensed

Land-basedandSea-basedAgencies”.http://www.ilo.org/global/topics/labour-migration/publications/WCMS_227524/lang--en/index.htm

InternationalLabourOrganization(ILO),2014“AnAssessmentofthePhilippineOverseasEmployment

Administration’s(POEA)AgencyPerformanceAwards”,MarujaM.B.AsisandStellaP.Go.http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---asia/---ro-bangkok/---ilo-manila/documents/publication/wcms_316229.pdf

InternationalOrganizationforMigration,ScalabriniMigrationCenter&GovernmentofthePhilippines,

2013,“CountryMigrationReport:ThePhilippines”.Page207.https://www.iom.int/files/live/sites/iom/files/Country/docs/CMReport-Philipines-2013.pdf

MedenillaSamuel,August31,2015,“POEAlaunchesdirecthiringserviceforTaiwanjobs”,Manila

Bulletin.http://www.mb.com.ph/poea-launches-direct-hiring-service-for-taiwan-jobs/#0Pq19IpOjM0GX7Rt.99

MigrantForuminAsia,“PolicyBriefNo.11:Joint&SeveralLiabilityofRecruitment/PlacementAgencies

withthePrincipal/EmployerunderPhilippineLaws”.Winter2014OpenWorkingGrouponLabourMigrationandRecruitment,PolicyBrief#2,2014“SouthKorea’s

EmploymentPermitSystem.ASuccessfulGovernment-to-GovernmentModel?”PhilippineNewsAgency,December14,2012,“POEAoffersfasterprocessforPinoysseekingjobsin

Korea”,http://www.interaksyon.com/article/50400/poea-provides-faster-process-for-pinoys-seeking-jobs-in-korea

POEANewsAdvisory,10April2015,“POEAlistsrecruitmentagencieswithlicensescancelledin2014”

http://www.poea.gov.ph/news/2015/PR_April2015_Cancelled_Agencies.pdfPOEANewsAdvisory,December18,2015,“POEAnearstargetindispositionofcases”,

http://www.poea.gov.ph/news/2015/2015.htmPOEANewsRelease,December18,2015,“ImplementationofonlinesystemstopsPOEA’s2015

accomplishments”,http://www.poea.gov.ph/news/2015/2015.htmPOEA2016,“RevisedPOEARulesandRegulationsGoverningtheRecruitmentandEmploymentofLand

BasedOverseasFilipinoWorkersof2016.http://www.poea.gov.ph/laws&rules/files/Revised%20POEA%20Rules%20And%20Regulations.pdf

TaiwanNews,August32015,“Taiwan,Philippinessigncooperationguidelinesforhiringworkers”

http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=2781298

RecruitmentCosts–Philippines,September2016 Page14of20

Attachment1BilateralAgreements

COUNTRY TITLE/SUBJECT DATE

BAHRAIN

MemorandumofAgreementBetweentheRepublicofthePhilippinesandtheKingdomofBahrainonHealthServicesCooperationhttp://www.poea.gov.ph/lmi_kiosk/Bilateral%20Agreements/BLA-BAHRAIN.pdf

April24,2007

CANADA

Alberta

MemorandumofAgreementBetweentheRepublicofthePhilippines(DOLE)andTheMinistryofEmploymentandImmigrationofAlberta(E&I)ConcerningCooperationinHumanResourceDeploymentandDevelopmenthttp://www.poea.gov.ph/lmi_kiosk/Bilateral%20Agreements/BLA-ALBERTA.pdf

October1,2008

BritishColombia&Alberta

DraftofImplementingGuidelinesfortheMemorandumofUnderstandingwithBritishColumbiaandAlbertahttp://www.poea.gov.ph/lmi_kiosk/Bilateral%20Agreements/BLA-ALBERTA(implementing%20guidelines).pdf

BritishColombia

MemorandumofUnderstandingBetweentheDepartmentofLabourandEmploymentoftheGovernmentoftheRepublicofthePhilippines(DOLE)andTheMinistryofEconomicDevelopmentoftheGovernmentofBritishColumbia,Canada(ECDV)ConcerningCo-OperationinHumanResourceDeploymentandDevelopmenthttp://www.poea.gov.ph/lmi_kiosk/Bilateral%20Agreements/BLA-BRITISH%20COLUMBIA.pdf

January29,2008

Manitoba

MemorandumofUnderstandingBetweenTheDepartmentofLabourandEmploymentoftheGovernmentoftheRepublicofthePhilippines(DOLE)andTheDepartmentofLabourandImmigrationoftheGovernmentofManitoba,Canada(LIM)Concerning:Co-OperationinHumanResourceandDeploymenthttp://www.poea.gov.ph/laborinfo/bilateralLB/BLA_PH_Manitoba2010.pdf

February8,2008

Manitoba

MemorandumofUnderstandingBetweenTheDepartmentofLaborandEmploymentoftheRepublicofthePhilippines(DOLE)andTheDepartmentofLabourandImmigrationoftheGovernmentofManitoba,CanadaConcerning:Co-OperationinHumanResourceDeploymentandDevelopmenthttp://www.poea.gov.ph/lmi_kiosk/Bilateral%20Agreements/MOU%20Manitoba%202010.pdf

September21,2010

Manitoba

GuidelinesfortheImplementationoftheMemorandumofUnderstandingBetweenTheDepartmentofLaborandEmploymentoftheRepublicofthePhilippines(DOLE)andTheDepartmentofLabourandImmigrationoftheGovernmentofManitoba,CanadaConcerning:Co-OperationinHumanResourceDeploymentandDevelopmenthttp://www.poea.gov.ph/lmi_kiosk/Bilateral%20Agreements/Manitoba_implementing%20g

September21,2010

RecruitmentCosts–Philippines,September2016 Page15of20

Saskatchewan

MemorandumofUnderstandingBetweentheRepublicofthePhilippines(DOLE)andHerMajestyTheQueenintheRightoftheProvinceofSaslachewanasrepresentedbytheMinisterResponsibleforImmigrationandtheMinisterofAdvancedEducationandEmployment(AEE)ConcerningCooperationintheFieldsofLabour,EmploymentandHumanResourceDevelopmenthttp://www.poea.gov.ph/lmi_kiosk/Bilateral%20Agreements/BLA-SASKATCHEWAN.pdf

December18,2006

CNMI

MemorandumofUnderstandingBetweentheRepublicofthePhilippines(DOLE)andTheCommonwealthoftheNorthernMarianaIslands(CNMI)http://www.poea.gov.ph/lmi_kiosk/Bilateral%20Agreements/BLA-CNMI%201994.pdf

September14,1994

CNMI

MemorandumofUnderstandingBetweentheRepublicofthePhilippines(DOLE)andTheCommonwealthoftheNorthernMarianaIslands(CNMI)http://www.poea.gov.ph/lmi_kiosk/Bilateral%20Agreements/BLA-CNMI%202000.pdf

December18,2000

GERMANY

AgreementConcerningthePlacementofFilipinoHealthProfessionalsinEmploymentPositionsintheFederalRepublicofGermany.http://www.poea.gov.ph/docs/Agreement_Ph_Germany%20Nurses.pdf

March19,2013

INDONESIA

MemorandumofUnderstandingBetweentheRepublicofthePhilippines(DOLE)andtheDepartmentofManpowerandTransmigrationoftheRepublicofIndonesiaConcerningMigrantWorkershttp://www.poea.gov.ph/lmi_kiosk/Bilateral%20Agreements/BLA-INDONESIA.pdf

January18,2003

IRAQ

MemorandumofAgreementRelatingtoMobilizationofManpowerBetweentheRepublicofthePhilippinesandtheRepublicofIraqhttp://www.poea.gov.ph/lmi_kiosk/Bilateral%20Agreements/BLA-IRAQ.pdf

November25,1982

JAPAN

MemorandumofUnderstandingBetweenthePhilippineOverseasEmploymentAdministrationandtheJapanInternationalCooperationofWelfareServicesontheDeploymentandAcceptanceofFilipinoCandidates(JPEPA)http://www.poea.gov.ph/lmi_kiosk/Bilateral%20Agreements/BLA-JPEPA.pd

January12,2009

JORDAN

MemorandumofUnderstandingBetweentheMinisterofLaboroftheRepublicofthePhilippinesandtheMinisterofLaboroftheHashemiteKingdomofJordanhttp://www.poea.gov.ph/lmi_kiosk/Bilateral%20Agreements/BLA-JORDAN%201981.pdf

December5,1981

JORDAN

AgreementonManpowerBetweentheGovernmentoftheRepublicofthePhilippinesandtheGovernmentoftheHashemiteKingdomofJordanhttp://www.poea.gov.ph/lmi_kiosk/Bilateral%20Agreements/BLA-JORDAN%201988.pdf

December3,1988

RecruitmentCosts–Philippines,September2016 Page16of20

JORDAN

MemorandumofUnderstandingonLaborCooperationBetweentheGovernmentofHashemiteKingdomofJordanandtheGovernmentoftheRepublicofthePhilippineshttp://www.poea.gov.ph/lmi_kiosk/Bilateral%20Agreements/bla_jordan.pdf

May27,2010

JORDAN

PrinciplesandControlsforRegulatingDeploymentandEmploymentofFilipinoDomesticWorkersbetweentheGovernmentoftheHashemiteKingdomofJordan/MinistryofLaborandtheGovernmentoftheRepublicofthePhilippines/DepartmentofLaborandEmployment

January29,2012

KOREA

MemorandumofUnderstandingBetweentheDepartmentofLaborofthePhilippinesandtheMinistryofLaboroftheRepublicofKoreaontheSendingofWorkerstotheRepublicofKoreahttp://www.poea.gov.ph/lmi_kiosk/Bilateral%20Agreements/BLA-KOREA%202004.pdf

April23,2004

KOREA

MemorandumofAgreementBetweentheRepublicofthePhilippinesandtheRepublicofKoreahttp://www.poea.gov.ph/lmi_kiosk/Bilateral%20Agreements/BLA-KOREA%202005.pdf

December15,2005

KOREA

MemorandumofUnderstandingBetweentheDepartmentofLaborandEmploymentofthePhilippinesandtheMinistryofLaboroftheRepublicofKoreaontheSendingandReceivingofWorkerstotheRepublicofKoreaundertheEmploymentPermitSystemhttp://www.poea.gov.ph/lmi_kiosk/Bilateral%20Agreements/BLA-KOREA%202006.pdf

October20,2006

KOREA

MemorandumofUnderstandingbetweentheMinistryofLabor,RepublicofKoreaandtheDepartmentofLaborandEmployment,RepublicofthePhilippinesonCooperationintheFieldofLaborandManpowerDevelopmenthttp://www.poea.gov.ph/lmi_kiosk/Bilateral%20Agreements/BLA-KOREA%202009.pdf

May30,2009

KOREA

MemorandumofUnderstandingbetweentheDepartmentofLaborandEmployment,RepublicofthePhilippinesandtheMinistryofLabor,RepublicofKoreaontheSendingandReceivingofWorkersundertheEmploymentPermitSystemofKoreahttp://www.poea.gov.ph/lmi_kiosk/Bilateral%20Agreements/BLA-KOREAEPS%202009.pdf

May30,2009

KOREA

MemorandumofUnderstandingbetweentheDepartmentofLaborandEmploymentoftheRepublicofthePhilippinesandtheMinistryofEmploymentandLaboroftheRepublicofKoreaonsendingandreceivingofFilipinoworkerstotheRepublicofKoreaundertheEmploymentPermitSystemforForeignWorkers.http://www.poea.gov.ph/epstopik/dole_moel_mou_eps_2014.pdf

April8,2014

RecruitmentCosts–Philippines,September2016 Page17of20

KOREA

ServiceCommitmentAgreementofEPS-TOPIKandSkillsTestbetweenthePhilippineOverseasEmploymentAdministrationoftheDepartmentofLaborandEmploymentandtheHumanResourcesDevelopmentServiceofKorea.http://www.poea.gov.ph/epstopik/eps_topik_service%20agreement%202014.pdf

April10,2014

KUWAIT

MemorandumofUnderstandingonLaborandManpowerDevelopmentBetweentheGovernmentoftheRepublicofthePhilippinesandtheGovernmentoftheStateofKuwaithttp://www.poea.gov.ph/lmi_kiosk/Bilateral%20Agreements/BLA-KUWAIT.pdf

September14,1997

KUWAIT

MemorandumofUnderstandingBetweentheDepartmentofForeignAffairsoftheRepublicofthePhilippinesandtheMinistryofForeignAffairsoftheStateofKuwaitontheEstablishmentofBilateralConsultationshttp://www.poea.gov.ph/lmi_kiosk/Bilateral%20Agreements/MOU-KUWAIT.pdf

September14,1997

LAOPDR

MemorandumofUnderstandingonTechnicalCooperationonLaborandEmploymentBetweentheGovernmentoftheRepublicofthePhilippinesandtheGovernmentoftheLaoPeople’sDemocraticRepublichttp://www.poea.gov.ph/lmi_kiosk/Bilateral%20Agreements/BLA-LAO,%20PDR.pdf

July27,2005

LIBYA

AgendaforCooperationintheFieldofLabor,EmploymentandManpowerDevelopmentBetweenthePhilippinesandLibyahttp://www.poea.gov.ph/lmi_kiosk/Bilateral%20Agreements/BLA-LIBYA%201979.pdf

October18,1979

LIBYA

MemorandumofUnderstandingBetweenthePhilippinesandLibya(withArabicVersion)http://www.poea.gov.ph/lmi_kiosk/Bilateral%20Agreements/BLA-LIBYA%202006.pdf

July17,2006

NEWZEALAND

MemorandumofAgreementonLabourCooperationBetweentheGovernmentoftheRepublicofthePhilippinesandtheGovernmentofNewZealandhttp://www.poea.gov.ph/lmi_kiosk/Bilateral%20Agreements/BLA-NEW%20ZEALAND.pdf

November4,2008

NORWAY

AgreementBetweenPOEAandtheDirectorateofLabourNorwayonTransnationalCo-OperationforRecruitingProfessionalsfromtheHealthSectortoPositionsinNorwayhttp://www.poea.gov.ph/lmi_kiosk/Bilateral%20Agreements/BLA-%20NORWAY.pdf

June26,2001

PAPUANEWGUINEA

MemorandumofUnderstandingBetweenthePhilippinesandPapuaNewGuineahttp://www.poea.gov.ph/lmi_kiosk/Bilateral%20Agreements/BLA-%20PNG.pdf

March14,1979

RecruitmentCosts–Philippines,September2016 Page18of20

QATAR

AgreementBetweentheGovernmentoftheRepublicofthePhilippinesandtheGovernmentoftheStateofQatarConcerningFilipinoManpowerEmploymentintheStateofQatarhttp://www.poea.gov.ph/lmi_kiosk/Bilateral%20Agreements/BLA-QATAR.pdf

May10,1997

QATAR

AdditionalProtocoltotheAgreementbetweentheGovernmentoftheRepublicofthePhilippinesandtheGovernmentoftheStateofQatarConcerningFilipinoManpowerEmploymentintheStateofQatarsignedon10March1997http://www.poea.gov.ph/lmi_kiosk/Bilateral%20Agreements/BLA-QATAR%20(ADDITIONAL%20PROTOCOL).pdf

October18,2008

SAIDIARABIA

AgreementonDomesticWorkerRecruitmentbetweentheMinistryofLaboroftheKingdomofSaudiArabiaandDepartmentoftheRepublicofthePhilippineshttp://www.poea.gov.ph/docs/PH%20KSA%20MOA.pdf

May19,2013

SPAIN

MemorandumofUnderstandingonCooperationfortheManagementoftheMigrationFlowsBetweentheMinistryofLaborandSocialAffairsoftheKingdomofSpainandtheMinistryofLaborandEmploymentoftheRepublicofthePhilippines(EnglishVersion)http://www.poea.gov.ph/lmi_kiosk/Bilateral%20Agreements/BLA-SPAIN%20(ENGLISH%20VERSION).pdf

June29,2006

SWITZERLAND

AgreementBetweentheGovernmentoftheRepublicofthePhilippinesandtheSwissFederalCouncilonExchangeofProfessionalandTechnicalTraineeshttp://www.poea.gov.ph/lmi_kiosk/Bilateral%20Agreements/BLA-SWITZERLAND.pdf

July2,2002

TAIWAN

MemorandumofUnderstandingbetweentheManilaEconomicandCulturalOffice(MECO)inTaipeiandtheTaipeiEconomicandCulturalOffice(TECO)inthePhilippinesregardingtheSpecialHiringWorkershttp://www.poea.gov.ph/lmi_kiosk/Bilateral%20Agreements/BLA-TAIWAN%20(MOU-MEC0)1999.pdf

September3,1999

TAIWAN

MemorandumofUnderstandingonSpecialHiringProgramforTaiwanBetweentheManilaEconomicandCulturalOfficeinTaipei(MECO)andtheTaipeiEconomicandCulturalOffice(TECO)inthePhilippineshttp://www.poea.gov.ph/lmi_kiosk/Bilateral%20Agreements/BLA-TAIWAN%202001.pdf

January12,2001

TAIWAN

MemorandumofUnderstandingonSpecialHiringProgramforTaiwanBetweentheManilaEconomicandCulturalOffice(MECO)inTaipeiandtheTaipeiEconomicandCulturalOffice(TECO)inthePhilippineshttp://www.poea.gov.ph/lmi_kiosk/Bilateral%20Agreements/BLA-TAIWAN%20(MOU-MECO)2003.pdf

March20,2003

RecruitmentCosts–Philippines,September2016 Page19of20

TAIWANMOU,SpecialHiringProgramforTaiwanhttp://www.poea.gov.ph/shpt-ides/shpt-ides.html

2015

UAE

MemorandumofUnderstandingbetweentheGovernmentoftheRepublicofthePhilippinesandtheGovernmentoftheUnitedArabEmiratesintheFieldofManpowerhttp://www.poea.gov.ph/lmi_kiosk/Bilateral%20Agreements/BLA-UAE%20(ENGLISH%20VERSION).pdf

April9,2007

UNITEDKINGDOM

MemorandumofUnderstandingbetweentheGovernmentofthePhilippinesandtheGovernmentoftheKingdomofGreatBritainandNorthernIrelandonHealthcareCooperationhttp://www.poea.gov.ph/lmi_kiosk/Bilateral%20Agreements/BLA-UK%20(MOA)%202003.pdf

July30,2003

UNITEDKINGDOM

RecruitmentAgreementBetweentheGovernmentoftheRepublicofthePhilippinesandtheGovernmentoftheUnitedKingdomofGreatBritainandNorthernIrelandhttp://www.poea.gov.ph/lmi_kiosk/Bilateral%20Agreements/BLA-UK%202002.pdf

January8,2002

UNITEDSTATESOFAMERICA

AgreementBetweentheGovernmentoftheRepublicofthePhilippinesandtheGovernmentoftheUnitedStatesofAmericaRelatingtotheRecruitmentandEmploymentofPhilippinesCitizensbyUSMilitaryForcesandContractorsofMilitaryandCivilianAgenciesoftheUSGovernmentinCertainAreasofthePacificandtheSoutheastAsiahttp://www.poea.gov.ph/lmi_kiosk/Bilateral%20Agreements/BLA-USA.pdf

December28,1968

MultipleCountries

LaborAgreementsforSeafarers.Summarisedin:http://www.poea.gov.ph/blas/BLA_Seafarers.pdf

-

Thegreatmajorityofmigrantworkerspaylargesumsofmoneyinorder

to obtain jobs in other countries. The costs, often exorbitant, leave

workers debt-ridden and in a more vulnerable position to pernicious

labourabuse. AtTWC2,werecognisetheconsequencesofrecruitment

costsandtheurgentneedtoeliminatesuchfees.

This report ispartofa seriesofpapersanalysing thepolicies invarious

countries regulating recruitmentcosts.Through thisevaluativeprocess,

we hope to be able formulate effective policy recommendations in

reducing the recruitment costs of workers who come to Singapore.

–

TransientWorkersCountToowww.twc2.org.sg5001BeachRoad,#09-86GoldenMileComplexSingapore199588

[email protected]

ThefulllistofourcountrybriefsandotherTWC2reportscanbefoundat:http://twc2.org.sg/category/articles/research/

TWC2RecruitmentCostsResearchWorkingGroup