The Philippine government is working towards waiving application fees for Overseas Employment Certifications (OEC) and replacing them with the OFW Pass.
The transition period is expected to last around three months.
Currently, departing overseas Filipino workers are required to obtain an OEC, which serves as an exit clearance.
This process involves onsite processing and carries a fee of P100, valid for 60 days.
The OEC also serves as an exemption from travel tax and airport terminal fees.
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), led by Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople, aims to launch the DMW Mobile App this week.
The app will enable overseas workers to obtain the OFW Pass, a digital and secure version of the OEC. The OFW Pass will feature a QR code and remain valid until the worker’s employment contract expires.
Eventually, the OFW Pass will fully replace the traditional OEC after a two- to three-month transition period.
The OFW Pass will be available to various categories of workers, including first-time OFWs, Balik Manggagawa OFWs returning to the same employer, and those who have switched employers or require registration and verification by the Office of the Labor Attaché.
This announcement follows President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s call for the automation of OEC verification and issuance during his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) almost a year ago.
Implementing the DMW Mobile App and introducing the OFW Pass aim to simplify and streamline the process, allowing workers to access their certifications conveniently through their mobile phones.
Source: PhilNews24 | July 10, 2023
