WFH OFWs not classified as ‘Balik Manggagawa’
MANILA, Philippines — Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who have been working in the country due to the pandemic are not classified as returning workers, according to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).
In an advisory, POEA Administrator Bernard Olalia said OFWs under work from home arrangement cannot qualify as “Balik Manggagawa” in applying for exit clearance.
If they are to work abroad again, they shall be processed as new hires.
“Given that subject workers have not satisfied the primary consideration of being first deployed overseas for employment with the aforementioned foreign employer, in order to be classified as an overseas Filipino worker, said workers are not qualified for the issuance of Balik-Manggagawa Overseas Employment Certificates (OECs),” Olalia explained.
The POEA said a number of OFWs, who rendered online service for their foreign employer, are now seeking to leave the country for their job abroad as returning workers.
Olalia said these workers have been applying for Balik Mangagawa Overseas Employment Certificates (OECs).
All OFWs are required to secure OEC, also known as exit clearance, prior to departure for employment abroad.
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