Thousands of OFWs expected to return home for Christmas

Thousands of Filipino workers abroad are expected to spend Christmas in the country despite recent calamities and the prevailing global financial crisis.

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration yesterday reported that they are gearing for a surge in the number of returning OFWs applying for overseas employment certificate.

“At the start of the Christmas peak season, the number of OEC applicants doubles the usual of 1,000 per day,” POEA chief Jennifer Manalili said.

Manalili said congestion and security have always become a major concern at the POEA premises because of the surge in the number of returning OFWs, aside from applicants who also have immediate flights.

To avoid congestion at the POEA, Manalili said the proper guidelines in the issuance of POEA travel exit clearances (OECs) to returning OFWs must be observed during the Yuletide season.

“OFWs who have just arrived are encouraged to apply for their OECs early either at the POEA main office or at the nearest POEA regional offices and extension units, or avail of the OEC delivery service, so they can avoid last minute problems prior to their return flights,” Manalili explained

She also urged departing OFWs who will return to the Philippines during the Christmas season to apply for their OECs at the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs) in their host countries or at the POEA main or regional offices prior to their return flights to their host countries.

According to Manalili, the regular processing of OECs has been discontinued at the NAIA Labor Assistance Center (LAC), except for weekend or emergency exit within 5 days from entry.

OFWs who have not yet registered with the POEA are also advised to bring their contract and/or certificate of employment, and other proofs of employment in order to be documented and be issued an OEC.

The POEA will continue its operations during the Christmas and New Year holidays. Manalili said OFWs are required to secure overseas employment certificate and multiple travel exit clearance (TEC) from the POEA before departure.

POEA issues an average of 50,000 TECs during the months of December and January because many OFWs are spending the holiday season with their families here.

Meanwhile, despite the slum in the hiring of medical workers in other countries, jobs reportedly await hundreds of Filipino male doctors and nurses in Saudi Arabia, the Department of Labor and Employment reported yesterday.

Labor Secretary Marianito Roque said the government-owned Saudi Red Crescent Authority had placed a job order for 300 medical workers with the POEA.

“The SRCA needs 200 nurses and paramedics and 100 physicians,” Roque disclosed, albeit reminding applicants that the ongoing hiring is a government-to-government arrangement.

Since it’s a government-to-government deployment, Roque said application and inquiries should only be made through the POEA and not with private recruitment agencies.

He said the SRCA is a pioneering medical facility that extends emergency responses and first aid support in Saudi Arabia.

Qualified to apply for nurses and paramedics positions are male applicants not more than 50 years old. They must have a diploma in BS Nursing and or certification for paramedic training and license from the Professional Regulation Commission.

Applicants must have worked as a member of an emergency support or ambulance team and have mastery of resuscitation techniques and medications.

For physicians, applicants must have specialization in emergency medicine, general surgery, traumatology, anesthesia and intensive care; males not more than 50 years old; must have license authorized by the PRC; and with at least two-year experience/ training in emergency medicine and intensive care.

Among the documents required are comprehensive and latest resume with job description, photocopy of school credentials, employment certificates (old and latest), photocopy of the first page of passport, and six copies of 2X2 photos taken within 10 days before filing of the application.

Last year, the country deployed 275,933 OFWs, including medical workers in Saudi Arabia. — Philippine Star News Service/JMO