CROSS COUNTRY EMPLOYMENT AMONG OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS WHILE STILL ONSITE

The Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Korea has reported a growing
trend on cross country employment among Overseas Filipino workers while
still onsite. This is prevalent among skilled workers whose term of
employment in Korea have been completed and who would like to leave for
other destinations preferably Canada and Australia directly from their
current site of employment.

The DOLE Mobile Reintegration Team dispatched to Korea last February
to render assistance that may be needed by the displaced workers also
reported similar cases of skilled workers being affected by the economic
slowdown and were officially released by their employers but would not
want to home. However, they have successfully obtained their labor
market opinions (LMOs) from employers in Canada and the subsequent visa
approval by the Canadian Embassy in Korea and would rather opt to
proceed to Canada to serve another contract term with their employers.

As this mode of irregular migration would prevent these workers from
being able to process their employment documents as OFWs and would not
entitle them to welfare benefits enjoyed by regular workers, they should
be encouraged to register as OFW and enjoy the protection and benefits
of the government provided to regular OFWs.

Registration may be done by the OFW thru the following:

1. Voluntary registration with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration; or

2. Notice to the POLO/Embassy/Consulate at the original jobsite of
their intention to leave for another destination for employment
purposes; or

3. Notice to the POLO/Embassy/Consulate of their arrival at the new
jobsite to inform them of their entry and employment particulars into
the country.

As one of the measure to safeguard the employment opportunities of
OFWs and to ensure their protection and welfare in the light of the
global financial crisis, POLO, Korea and other POLOs are requested to
aggressively disseminate the above information in their respective areas
of jurisdiction for the guidance of all concerned.

Adopted: 15 Apr. 2009

(SGD.) JENNIFER JARDIN-MANALILI
Administrator