Post on 14-Apr-2018
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
+6562477001info@twc2.org.sg
ThefulllistofourcountrybriefsandotherTWC2reportscanbefoundat:http://twc2.org.sg/category/articles/research/
TWC2RecruitmentCostsResearchWorkingGroup