THE Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) on Saturday, April 2, 2022, expressed readiness to blacklist employers as well as recruitment and manning agencies that will violate the mandatory insurance coverage for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
POEA Administrator Bernard Olalia said in a televised public briefing that they are prepared to sanction employers and agencies that do not comply with the provision of the mandatory insurance coverage for all OFWs.
"If there are principals or agencies, who don't want to pay the premium and charge them to you (OFWs), just report them to us at the POEA," said Olalia.
"If there are any complaints, we will definitely take action. We are ready to blacklist them. This would mean that they can no longer hire OFWs," he added.
The POEA chief said they will initially attempt to negotiate with their employers regarding the insurance policy.
"But if they will insist on their refusal, we will file charges and blacklist them in our database," said Olalia.
He said the policy is already in effect after the implementing rules and regulations were published in March.
"The implementation of the enhanced compulsory insurance should have started already," said Olalia.
The Department of Labor and Employment earlier issued Department Order No. 228-2021 detailing the expansion of the compulsory OFW insurance coverage by including rehires and direct hires, aside from new hires.
The OFW insurance coverage will cover the duration of the worker’s employment contract and assures coverage in case of death, disability, repatriation, medical emergency and litigation. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)