POEA told: Implement reforms

Philippine Overseas Employment Administration: Implement reforms

THE Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) was asked to implement urgent reforms to ensure that the agency primarily tasked to regulate overseas employment remains responsive to the needs of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

“Reports of inefficiency and incompetence of some POEA officials and employees are hurting the institution and the only way for the POEA to remain relevant and responsive to its clients — our OFWs — is for us to implement urgently-needed reforms without any further delay,” Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz Friday told the POEA.

She said, “Inefficiency and delay in the delivery of essential POEA services are already inconveniencing and hurting the people.”

The need to speed up and follow through the investigation and resolution of cases involving graft and corruption against some officials and employees in pursuit of the anti-graft and corruption policy was also underscored.

“We really need to walk the talk on anti-graft and corruption if we need to achieve better labor governance,” Baldoz said, adding that urgently-needed reforms must include the reduction and simplification of the requirements and procedures in processing workers’ documents that employment certificates could be issued within one day from the submission of complete documents.

The assignment of additional frontline personnel, especially at the Name-Hire Unit; conduct of computer-based pre-departure orientation seminars (PDOS) to ensure quality of PDOS content; limit in the participation of private service providers like banks and telecom companies in the PDOS to distribution of brochures to OFWs after the PDOS lecture; and investigation of reported misdemeanors, as well as imposition of sanctions against erring personnel are also some of the critical reforms needed.

The POEA should likewise conduct closer scrutiny of the profile of agencies with focus on the nature and number of pending cases, including complainants involved, before action on license renewal is taken; inventory all renewed licenses to ensure compliance; and evaluate updated number of pending cases. (CGC)