Contract Verification for OFWs refers to the procedure of employment contract verification conducted or applied by the Labor Attaché. This procedure ensures that a Filipino migrant worker has a valid job and employer waiting for them abroad. It also protects the OFWs’ employment rights, benefits and welfare by making sure that their employment contracts match the minimum requirements of the prevailing employment laws, standards and practices in both the Philippines and the host country.
Filipinos who have found work while abroad or those who have changed employers while abroad need to verify their employment contract at the nearest DMW or POLO office.
Getting your employment contract verified is important because doing so allows the Philippine government to interfere in your overseas applications to protect your well-being. It is a required step for OFWs who are looking to secure their Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC), a mandatory documentary requirement for all OFWs. For OFWs abroad, contract verification is usually required when they change employers so it is important to know how to do this.
To make sure that you are completing the contract verification process properly, this guide should teach you everything you need to know about the process, guidelines, and requirements needed to get your contract verified.
What is Employment Contract Verification
Contract verification is one of the primary functions of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO). It is a procedure wherein the Labor Attaché verifies the employment contracts to ensure that the terms of the OFW contracts are compliant with the current employment laws, norms, and practices.
It also guarantees that the OFW will not be swindled out of the best entitlements they deserve and will not get taken advantage of by employers. It will also help safeguard their rights, benefits, and welfare while rendering their service at the workplace in their host country.
What is the Purpose of Contract Verification
If you are an OFW or a would-be OFW, getting your employment contract verified is one of the mandatory steps you need to undertake before you can leave the country to work abroad. By having your contract verified, you are assured of fair contract terms from legitimate recruiters. You are also guaranteed that the contract has fair terms that are aligned with the prevailing employment laws, standards and practices in both the Philippines and the host country.
The contract verification procedures also serve as a regulatory practice to ensure the compliance with the documentary requirements set by the Philippine government for outgoing Filipino workers. A verified employment contract will also be required from migrant workers, when they visit the POEA BM Centers to request for their Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC), a mandatory document required by both the Philippine Immigration Officers and the airport from departing OFWs.
Who Needs to Have Their Employment Contracts Verified?
The employment contract verification is required from the following:
- Migrant Filipino workers who are registered with POEA DMW and have changed employers onsite
- Filipino nationals who are working abroad without POEA records
- Filipino nationals with prospective employers whose employment Visa was approved by the Immigration Department
What are the Requirements to Verify Employment Contract?
The documentary requirements for contract verification for OFWs may vary depending on the OFW’s situation:
General Requirements
- Employment Contract
- Valid Passport of worker
- Valid Work Permit of the worker
- Identification Card of the authorized signatory of the employer
Note: In cases where the employer is unable to provide an ID with signature, all the documents bearing their signature must be notarized.
- Authorization of the authorized signatory
- Business Registration of the employer
- Latest payslips
- Signed Undertaking
Change of Employer
For POEA DMW-registered workers who changed their employers, the following documents are necessary:
- Two (2) sets of Original Standard Employment Contract
- A copy of the employer’s identification with the contact information provided on the same page
- A copy of OFWs’ or Domestic Workers’ ID with contact information written on the same page
- Original and photocopy of the Passport page of the OFWs’ or domestic workers
- New Employment E-Visa in printed form
- For representative only: OWWA OFW completed form
On-Site Verification
For workers who haven’t registered with the POEA or who have switched employers on the job, here are the requirements:
- Original and one (1) photocopy of passport with a validity of at least six (6) months beyond the anticipated departure date;
- One (1) photocopy of appropriate Visa
- Employment Documentation including the following:
- One (1) original and two (2) photocopies of the Employment Certificate
- Company-issued identification
- Payslip
- One (1) original and two (2) photocopies of Contract of Employment
- One (1) photocopy of Company Profile / Business Registration
- Narrative or Notarized Affidavit of Undertaking of all circumstances regarding the recruitment and employment with the employer, including information on:
- agency/agent that referred/recruited the worker,
- payments, if any, made to the recruiter,
- manner of payment,
- conduct at the immigration,
- relevant dates, and
- other information
- Employer Declaration (matrix of all Filipino nationals in a letter/certification from the company on the number of hired/employed Filipinos)
Renewal of Contract
For migrant professional or skilled workers who renewed their contracts, they are required to submit the following:
- Original Standard Employment Contract in two sets
- A copy of the employer’s identification with the contact information provided on the same page
- A copy of workers’ ID with contact information written on the same page
- Original and one (1) photocopy of passport of the overseas worker
- New Employment E-Visa in printed form
- For representative only: OWWA OFW completed form
Additional Requirements for Direct Hire Professional/Skilled Worker per POEA MC 08-2018
- Immigration approval for Employment
- Company Profile with office and agency/staff house pictures (agency and principal)
- Passport size photo of the worker; and
- Proof of worker’s insurance coverage
Additional Requirements for Domestic Workers (2nd & Subsequent Renewal)
- Previously verified employment contract;
- Notarized Affidavit of Undertaking (for domestic worker registered on site & renewal without agency)
How to Process Contract Verification
It is important to get your contract verified by the Philippine government so you can get the best out of your job agreement. To learn how, simply follow the steps below:
Via the POEA / DMW Office (Not Applicable for New Hires)
In the Philippines, you may visit the DMW (Department of Migrant Workers) office in order to process the contract verification. If you are a Filipino who has found a job while abroad, you may head to the Philippine Consulate, Philippine Embassy, or Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) to verify the contract.
This process is applicable to both Domestic and Skilled/Professional Workers:
- Schedule an appointment via email or using their website to visit the Department of Migrant Workers office (if you are in the Philippines) or to the Philippine Consulate, Philippine Embassy, or POLO (if you are overseas).
- Send all required documentation to the office near you.
- For domestic workers: Submit documentary requirements to the DMW, POLO, Philippine Consulate, or Philippine Embassy for evaluation.
- For Skilled / Professional Workers: Submit documentary requirements to the DMW, POLO, Philippine Consulate, or Philippine Embassy for evaluation.
- Submit OWWA Information Sheet to the officer at the DMW, POLO, Philippine Consulate, or Philippine Embassy.
- Pay for your Verification fee.
- Wait for your verified employment contract to be ready for pick-up after three (3) working days.
Note: If your OWWA membership has expired or is about to expire, pay the US$25.00 membership fee to renew your membership.
Remote Submission (Via the Designated POLO Website)
- Apply through the designated POLO website.
- Schedule a Skype interview with the Labor Attaché of the designated POLO office.
- Send documents to the POLO, Philippine Consulate, or Philippine Embassy near you.
- Make a payment for the verification fee through bank transfer.
- Get your employment contract verified and keep the receipt issued by the POLO, Philippine Consulate, or the Philippine Embassy.
- Process the documents at the POLO, Philippine Consulate, or Philippine Embassy.
- Wait for the release of your verified contract and pick it up on the scheduled release.
Important Reminders
- Make sure you have a confirmed appointment before heading to the POLO or DMW office for contract verification.
- Make sure you bring the complete requirements with you to avoid having to make multiple trips to the POLO or DMW office.
- Make sure all documentary requirements are authentic and secured directly from the concerned government offices.
- The process and requirements for employment contract verification may vary depending on the country so it’s best to reach out to the designated POLO or DMW office for additional requirements.
- The employment contract verification is necessary for OFWs or would-be OFWs to secure an OEC.
Video: OFW Contract Verification
Employment contract verification is a mandatory process implemented by the Philippine government in an effort to care for the welfare and the well-being of OFWs worldwide. For more information on how to get your contract verified, you may watch the video posted by OFW named Honey Mae Reyes on her Youtube channel named It’s a Lovely Day.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If you have any further questions regarding Employment Contract Verification for OFWs, see the list of frequently asked questions and answers below.
1. What is POEA DMW?
The POEA DMW stands for the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency which is now called the Department of Migrant Workers. It is the Philippine government’s link to the OFWs and the rest of the world, established to facilitate the creation and preservation of decent jobs as well as the protection and successful reintegration of Filipino migrant workers into the Philippine society.
2. What is POLO?
POLO stands for the Philippine Overseas Labor Office. It is the operating arm of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) overseas and the agency-in-charge of executing the Philippine labor policies and programs for the protection of migrant Filipino workers’ rights, welfare, and interests.
3. What is the Employment Contract Verification about?
The Employment Contract Verification is a procedure carried out by the Labor Attaché to ensure the legitimacy and protection of OFWs. It serves as a regulatory procedure that ensures that OFWs have legitimate jobs and employers, and that their contract offers the best minimum conditions according to the standards of the POEA and the host government.
4. Can I get an OEC without a verified contract?
No. A verified employment contract is one of the most important requirements for the issuance of an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC)—a mandatory document required at the immigration office and the airport prior to departure.
5. Is it possible to verify my contract in POEA?
Yes, you can verify your contract with POEA /DMW. In fact, only the POLO or the POEA / DMW can provide verification services for the OFW’s employment contract which is a must before an OEC can be issued.
6. How long does the contract verification take?
All contract verification requests are processed within three (3) working days after the receipt of the complete documentary requirements and the verification fee payment. When collecting your processed employment contract in person at the Embassy, the POEA/DMW or the POLO, the OFW must present the official receipt issued upon payment.
7. Can I skip getting employment contract verification?
No, it is not possible to skip on the employment contract verification because it’s one of the first steps in getting the OEC, which is a mandatory document.
Summary
Verifying the employment contract is important for all OFWs. This will ensure that they have a valid job and employer, and that the provisions and terms of the employment contract meet the minimum requirements of the POEA and host government. It is also important because it is required before an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) can be issued. The OEC issuing body, the Philippine POEA BM Centers, require the verified contracts as a condition for issuing OECs, which are required by the Philippine Immigration Officers before the OFW’s departure. It isn’t difficult to get the contract verified as there are various options to do so, regardless of whether the OFW is in the country or abroad. Just make sure you prepare the documentary requirements in advance to avoid delays.
If you have questions or concerns related to the process of contract verification for OFWs, you may reach out to the following offices:
Department of Migrant Workers (DMW)
Office Address: Blas F. Ople Building, Ortigas Ave., Cor. EDSA Ave., Mandaluyong City
Telephone Number: 8-722-11-44 / 8-722-11-55
One Repatriation Center (Hotline): 1348
Email Address: connect@dmw.gov.ph (General Inquiry); repat@dmw.gov.ph (Request for Assistance/Repatriation), assistance@dmw.gov.ph; feedback@dmw.gov.ph (Feedback and Suggestions)
Website: www.dmw.gov.ph/
Official Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/dmw.gov.ph
Official Twitter Page: @DMWPHL