No OEC for Qualified Balik-Manggagawa OFWs

No OEC for Qualified Balik-Manggagawa OFWs

Balik,manggagawa Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) will soon be exempted from the overseas employment certificate or OEC requirement.

Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III announced a group of OFWs will be the first to try the no OEC policy for balik-manggagawa starting tomorrow September 15, 2016.

The signed Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Governing Board Resolution No. 12, Series of 2016 will waive the OFWs OEC requirement if they are:
(1) Returning to the same employer and job site and listed in the POEA's database of OFWs
(2) Hired through POEA's Government  Placement Branch.

An OFW balik-manggagawa shall register at bmonline.ph and encode personal and employment details before their departure date to validate if they are exempted from obtaining OEC. The OFWs updated profile will be forwarded to the Bureau of Immigration to serve as basis for clearance to exit the country without of processing fees.

For OFWs who will go to the airport failing to register first to BM Online System will be referred by the Bureau of Immigration to the POEA's Labor Assistance Counter (LAC) for evaluation and determine if the worker may be cleared for departure or needs to further complete their travel documents.

The resolution is issued following the order of President Duterte to streamline processes in the deployment of OFWs, to afford them facility and ease in transaction before government offices. POEA is already implementing Balik-Manggagawa Online Processing System which has eliminated the long lines at its offices but still needs to improve system for OFWs who are returning to the same employer and job site.

Probation Period Under Saudi Labor Law

Probation Period Under Latest Saudi Labor Law


This article is important for every expatriates and fellow OFW working in Saudi Arabia. Every country has its own labor law which will guide both parties 'Employer and Employee' to stick on it in any situations.

Article (53) in Latest Saudi Labor Law:

- If an employee is subject to probation period, the fact should be explicitly state and mention clearly with in the employment contract, It should be not exceed in 90 days.

-In case both parties agreed in documents, the 90 days probation period can be extendable for another 90 days a total of 180 days (As per 38 Amendments of Saudi Labor Law ) enclusive sick leaves and Eid-Adha, Eid al-Fitr holidays.

Article (54) in Latest Saudi Labor Law:

-An employee should not be placed on probation period more than once by the same employer.

-As an exception to the above rule, An employee may, however and with the approval of the contract parties, be subject to another probation period of not more than 90 days on the condition that this period is for another work or profession.

-If the contract is terminated during the probation period, neither party shall be entitled to compensation nor shall an employee be entitled to End of Service Award.

-As per amended lasbor law, An employee can be placed on additional probation period with both parties agreed on a document, If the relationship between both parties has expired for a period of 6 or more months.

Related Articles : Vacations and Leaves in Saudi Arabia,  Working Hours,  Overtime

Requirements for Renewal of MRP or Green Passport

Philippine Consulate General Jeddah

Renewal of MRP or Green Passport for the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) and all Pilipinos will only be processed by the PCG in Jeddah upon submission of the following documents:

1. Actual Green Passport
2. Birth Certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (NSO)
3. At least one (1) valid identification document (SSS ID, Philippine Driver's License, Voter's ID, PRC ID, etc. )

Othet support documents as necessary (i.e. Authenticated Marriage Certificate if married and using married surname).

How to Update PhilHealth Member Data Record

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) are recomended to be member of PhilHealth to avail benefits entitled for them. OFWs pay an amount of P2,400.00 per year as their premium contribution so they can avail of PhilHealth benefits for hospital confinements and surgeries.

To be able to enjoy these benefits, any changes in the OFW membership data record should be updated at once (i.e. civil status etc.) to avoid any inconvenience.

OFWs should follow the steps below to update their PhilHealth member data record:

1. Download the PhilHealth Member Registration Form.
2. Check the box 'For Updating'  found on the upper right-hand side of the form.

3. Fill the part where the necessary revisions should be. Double-check the information you are to provide.
4. After filling up, email the accomplished form to ofp@philhealth.gov.ph

5. Wait for an emailed copy of your updated Member Data Record.


OFWs can pay their contribution in advance for five years or depends on the duration of the employment contract with their overseas employer.