AS MUCH as 2,000 household service workers (HSWs) are projected to be adversely affected by the new minimum age requirement set by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).
In a statement, recruitment analyst Emmanuel Geslani said there are at least 1,000 HSWs up for overseas deployment that are projected to be stranded after the POEA increased the minimum age requirement to 24 years old.
"Around 1,000 to 2,000 household service workers holding verified contracts, OECs, and plane tickets will be stranded in the country with the full implementation of the age limit of 24," said Geslani.
Last week, the POEA issued Advisory No. 43-2022, which increased the existing minimum age for domestic workers from 23 years old to 24 years old.
The recruitment industry immediately objected to the new policy saying it was imposed sans prior consultation with the stakeholders.
Geslani, then, called on Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Susan Ople to give special consideration to HSWs already set to be deployed.
"We appeal to DMW Secretary Susan 'Toots' Ople to allow these workers with OECs, stamped visas, and booked plane tickers to depart so as to fulfill their contracts with their employers in their different jobsites," said Geslani. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)