Due to the developments on the policies of overseas employment, the Philippines is currently implementing a ban on direct hiring. This means that a foreign employer cannot deploy a worker to his country without processing through a licensed Philippine recruitment agencies (PRA).
The following employers are exempt from the ban on direct hiring:
a. Members of the diplomatic corps;
b. International organizations; and
c. Heads of state and government officials with the rank of at least deputy minister;
d. Other employers as allowed by the Administration:
1. Those provided in (a), (b) and (c) who bear a lesser rank, if endorsed by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO);
2. Professionals and skilled workers with duly executed/authenticated contracts containing terms and conditions over and above the standards set by the POEA. The number of professional and skilled Overseas Filipino Workers hired for the first time by the employer shall not exceed five (5). For the purpose of determining the number, workers hired as a group shall be counted as one; or
3. Workers hired by a relative/family member who is a permanent resident of the host country, except domestic workers.
Employers with previous or current accreditation with any licensed Philippine recruitment agencies (PRA) shall not be allowed to directly hire workers. Employers with previous accreditation with PRAs may be allowed to directly hire workers after the lapse of one (1) year from the cancellation/revocation/expiration of its accreditation or registration with a PRA.
Documentary Requirements:
For Skilled/Professional Workers
NOTE: Employment standards must be over and above the minimum employment provisions set by POEA.
For Domestic Workers covered under a, b, c, and d.1 above
Process:
References:
POEA Memorandum 08, series of 2018