POEA sounds alarm on runaway OFWs in Romania

THE Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) sounded the alarm on Thursday, December 30, 2021, over the increasing number of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Romania who are running away from their employers.

In a statement, POEA Administrator Bernard Olalia said they are concerned over the growing prevalence of having runaway OFWs, particularly household service workers (HSWs).

"We have received reports from the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (Polo) in Milan, Italy on the alarming increase in the number of Filipino workers in Romania who run away from their employers," said Olalia.

"The report said the practice is becoming more prevalent among household service workers, who would leave their employers and transfer to another without the proper settlement of issues with their previous employer and the foreign recruiter," he added.

Olalia said such acts are unacceptable, as Romanian laws provide that the termination of employment by the employee need not have a valid reason but shall be in the form of formal resignation by the worker.

He noted how the employee is required to notify the employer of the intention to resign not more than 20 working days for employees in non-management positions or 45 days for managers.

In cases of dismissal, he said the employer must give at least 20 working days notice of termination.

Olalia said the employee shall then be entitled to receive his salary and all other statutory rights during the said period.

The POEA chief appealed to all OFWs in Romania to adhere to existing laws on employment.

"We remind OFWs to fulfill the obligations, and terms and conditions contained in their employment contracts and obey the labor laws in their host countries," said Olalia. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)