How to hire a Filipino worker

Many local company representatives visit the Philippine Overseas Labor Office at the Nauru Building in Susupe asking for the requirements on the hiring of overseas Filipino workers.

Below are some notes on what to accomplish and submit in order for interested companies to avail themselves of the world-class services of the Filipinos based on the publication POLO has released in the CNMI.

How to hire Filipino workers:

1. A prospective employer interested to hire Filipino workers may choose from the official list of licensed private employment agencies, either land-based or sea-based, available at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office or the Philippine Consulate General in Susupe. They may also visit the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency website: www.poea.gov.ph. The employer may also write the POEA for agency referral assistance.

2. An employer who has identified a Philippine agent, which will source his/her manpower requirement, must submit the recruitment documents to the POLO office and Philippine Consulate office for verification. This process ascertains the existence of the company or project and the need for Filipino manpower.

For land-based principals, they should submit: special power of attorney or service and recruitment agreement, master employment contract with the minimum contract provisions, and manpower request.

Should there be no POLO at the jobsite the employer shall undergo the POEA accreditation process where the local agent submits to the POEA items mentioned above and the visa or equivalent documents.

For manning principals, they should submit the manning agreement containing, among others, the responsibilities of both principal and manning agency with respect to the employment of seafarers, special power of attorney, list of ships and their particulars including IMO number, crew complement, valid business license registration certificate, or equivalent document, or proof of existence of business validated or certified by the issuing authority in the host country, and other documents which the POEA may find necessary.

The booklet also stated that the foreign principal, who acts as a direct employer of a land-based worker, may be registered to more than one Philippine agency while a foreign principal who is licensed to operate as a foreign placement agency may be registered and accredited to a maximum of two Philippine agencies, subject to the conditions prescribed by the POEA.