Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Australia should verify their Employment Contract at the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) to ensure they’re legally employed. A verified Employment Contract is also a requirement to obtain the Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC), an essential document for OFWs vacationing in the Philippines. To verify employment contracts, read on to learn the process for Individual Contract Verification in MWO Canberra, Australia.
The Labor Attaché verify the Employment Contracts of OFWs to check if it follows the prevailing laws, practices, and standard of the Philippines and the host country. With this process, OFWs can check the legality of their employer and protect their rights, welfare, and benefits. Thus, OFWs who have changed employers or those not yet registered by POEA should perform the Individual Contract Verification in MWO Canberra, Australia.
Contents
Qualifications
Before proceeding to the procedure for Individual Contract Verification in MWO Canberra, Australia, check first if you meet any of the qualifications below:
- Filipino nationals without POEA records but working abroad or those who transferred job sites with a new employer
- Filipino workers registered with POEA but have changed their employers on-site
- Filipino workers with potential employers and an employment visa approved by the Immigration Department
- Filipino nationals who legally migrated to a foreign country and converted from migrant status to a worker status (such as dependents, permanent residents, petitioned family members, spouse or fiance visas)
- Filipino workers on a fixed-term contract (verify every renewal)
Requirements
Based on the POLO Advisory Series of 2020, here are the following documentary requirements for Individual Contract Verification in MWO Canberra, Australia:
For Vacationing OFWs (Balik Manggagawa)
The following documents apply to OFWs in Australia, Nauru, New Celadonia, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu who are planning to take a vacation or already vacationing in the Philippines:
- Hard copy of Employment Contract (full-time or permanent)
- Hard copy of the duly accomplished Addendum to the Employment Contract (Annex A) – as hereto attached compliance with POEA’s minimum requirements in hiring Filipino Workers abroad, which form part of the existing Employment Contract
- Hard copy of the working visa
- Photocopy of worker’s passport (data page only) – with at least six (6) months validity before the intended date of departure
- For Australian workers- Paid self-addressed return envelope
- For workers outside Australia- airway bill from an International courier to your chosen receipt location of documents (the Philippines or job site)
- Verification fee- AU$18.00
For Name Hire/Direct Hire
The following documents are for Filipinos still in the Philippines who will start work in Australia, Nauru, New Celadonia, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu:
- Original copy of Employment Contract with duly accomplished Addendum (Annex A) – signed on all pages by the worker and employer
- Photocopy of worker’s passport (data page only) – with at least six (6) months validity before the intended date of departure
- Hard copy of worker’s visa
- Hard copy of Company certification/declaration – signed by the company’s authorized signatory with a letterhead that they haven’t employed over 5 Filipino workers under Name Hire in POEA and the company did not collaborate with Philippine Recruitment Agency to process the deployment of workers
- For Australian workers- Paid self-addressed return envelope
- For workers outside Australia- airway bill from an International courier to your preferred receipt location of documents (Philippines or job site)
- Verification fee- AU$54.00
For Foreign Placement Agency (FPA) and Direct Employers with Philippine Recruitment Agency (PRA)
Foreign Placement Agency – Philippine Recruitment Agency – Foreign Employer (FPA-PRA-FE)
- Recruitment Agreement/Service Agreement/Special Power of Attorney – issued by the FPA authorizing the licensed PRA to recruit overseas workers on the foreign employer’s behalf
- Job Order/Manpower Request of FPA between the PRA, stating the number of workers required, salary per position, and other employment terms and conditions
- Job Order/Manpower Request of Foreign Employer between the FPA, indicating the number of workers, salary per position, and other employment terms and conditions
- Master Employment Contract from the Direct Employer – signed on all pages by the employer or an authorized representative
- Business License/Registration of FPA and the Foreign Employer
- Letter/Affidavit of Undertaking from the FPA and Foreign Employer
- Standard Business Sponsorship or Work Permit/Visa
- Contingency Plan
- Verification fees:
- Hiring one (1) worker in Job Order- AU$54.00
- Hiring two (2) or more workers in Job Order- AU$162.00
Direct Employer – Philippine Recruitment Agency (DE-PRA)
- Recruitment Agreement/Service Agreement/Special Power of Attorney – issued by the Direct Employer authorizing the licensed PRA to recruit overseas workers on behalf of it
- Job Order/Manpower Request of Direct Employer between the PRA, stating the number of workers required, salary per position, and other employment terms and conditions
- Master Employment Contract from the Direct Employer – signed on all pages by the employer or an authorized representative
- Business License/Registration of the Direct Employer
- Letter/Affidavit of Undertaking from the Direct Employer
- Standard Business Sponsorship or Work Permit/Visa
- Contingency Plan
- Verification fees:
- Hiring one (1) worker in Job Order- AU$54.00
- Hiring two (2) or more workers in Job Order- AU$162.00
Additional Manpower for FPA-PRA-FE and DE-PRA
- Job Order or Manpower Request from FPA and Direct Employer, stating the number of workers required, salary per position, and other employment terms and conditions
- The remaining balance of the previous verified Job Order/Manpower Request
- Verification fees:
- Hiring one (1) worker in Job Order- AU$18.00
- Hiring two (2) or more workers in Job Order- AU$54.00
How to Verify Employment Contract in MWO Canberra, Australia
To verify an Employment Contract in MWO Canberra, Australia, follow the steps below:
Via Mail/Courier
- Secure the complete documentary requirements.
- Send the original copy and one (1) photocopy of each document for Employment Contract verification, money order, and pre-paid self-addressed return envelope thru mail/courier to:
Philippine Embassy-POLO,
1 Moonah Place Yarralumla,
ACT 2600, Australia
- MWO Australia will return incomplete documents and the fees in the provided return envelope. Also, MWO Australia will notify you via email or call for updates and more details.
- Then, MWO Australia will notify you via email once the employment documents are verified and in the process of return.
Via Consular Outreach Mission
The Philippine Embassy and MWO Canberra also conduct Consular Outreach Mission in Australia where OFWs can access labor-related services, such as Individual Contract Verification. To do so, follow the steps below:
- Check the Facebook page of the Philippine Embassy in Australia.
- Inquire about the upcoming schedule and venue of the Consular Outreach Mission.
- Set an appointment for Contract Verification, if applicable.
- Secure the complete documentary requirements.
- Visit the Consular Outreach Mission venue.
- Submit your complete documentary requirements for evaluation.
- Pay the verification fees.
- Afterward, collect the official receipt and wait for the release of your verified Employment Contract.
Summary
Overall, OFWs should verify their Employment Contracts for their safety and welfare. In addition, this document is essential for OEC application.
So before vacationing in the Philippines, OFWs should verify their Employment Contract in MWO Canberra, Australia, to avoid problems in securing OEC or being offloaded at the airport.