It includes direct hire workers.
Starting today - November 13, Filipino expats no longer need to secure an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC). According to the official Facebook page of the Philippine Embassy in UAE, the acceptance and processing of new applications for the OEC document for all Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) including direct hire workers are suspended from today - November 13 to December 1 2017.
The advisory also mentions that Filipino expats who will be returning to the same employers as well as expats who are required to have their contacts verified by the overseas labour office for membership purposes are not included in the exemption.
The advisory was signed by Philippine Labour Secretary, Silverstre Bello III. In a copy of the labour department's order, it is revealed that the suspension was made after persistent reports of illegal recruitment activities including those who were hired directly surfaced.
The order also makes it clear that workers who are being hired by international organisations, members of diplomatic corps and sea-based recruitment agencies are also exempted from the order.
A probe will be launched in order to investigate these illegal practices.
The order also adds that the suspension may be extended if the need arises.
