Asia Expats Forum

joojoo · Novice Joined: 23 Dec 2006 Posts: 30 Location:

Beting Laygo Dolor, Dec 13, 2006
MANILA – For their own good, young Pinoys who seek to work abroad will have to wait a little bit longer. The government has raised to 25 the minimum age to become an OFW, or overseas Filipino worker.

The previous allowable age was 21, although there have been previous cases when workers as young as 18 were deployed abroad.

The new age rule takes effect Dec. 16, according to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration. Expected to be most affected are household workers, including caregivers, caretakers and low or semi-skilled female workers.

One of the biggest problems of “young” workers is that they easily and quickly miss their families. Their homesickness can often result in failure to adjust to bouts of severe depression.

Not only are they considered emotionally immature, but may also be physically unable to handle the rigors of caring for very young or very old members of their employers’ families.

Under the new policies, only those 25 or older, regardless of gender, who possess a National Certificate issued by the Philippine Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and a country-specific Language and Culture Certificate of Competence or Certificate of Attendance issued by the Overseas Worker Welfare Administration may be deployed as household workers.

The case of domestic helper Sarah Balabagan is believed to have had an impact on the age issue, albeit belatedly.

Balabagan left the country while still a minor to work in the Middle East. There, her employer tried to rape her. She stabbed and killed her Arab employer, for which she was sentenced to death.

The Philippine government with the help of the private sector convinced the family of her victim to accept blood money as payment for his life. Balabagan’s life was therefore spared. But questions were raised why one so young was allowed to leave for abroad to work.

The new rule is intended to spare young Filipinos from similar experiences.

Employment documents of domestics bound for abroad will still undergo verification with Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (Polo) and authentication with the Philippine embassies and consulates.

As part of the verification process, foreign employers who plan to hire their own domestic workers through placement agencies in the Philippines or as direct hires must personally appear at Polo for interview. They will also be required to submit a written undertaking in a form prescribed by the POEA; information sheet; police clearance; a valid ID; and other documents.

The minimum salary for domestic helpers has been set at $400, or the so-called “supermaid” salary level.

Furthermore, foreign placement agencies must undergo prequalification by Polo.