A verified Employment Contract is essential for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), especially if vacationing in the Philippines and returning to Bahrain to work again. It’s a primary requirement when applying for an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC), an exit clearance for Filipinos leaving the country to work abroad. And if you’re wondering how this works, read on as we share the steps, qualifications, and requirements for Individual Contract Verification in MWO Bahrain.
Also Read: How to Apply OEC Certificate in Bahrain
Through the process of Individual Contract Verification, the Labor Attaché can ensure OFW’s employment contracts comply with the current employment laws, practices, and standards of the Philippines and the host country. It defends employment benefits, rights, and welfare of OFWs while working abroad. Thus, OFWs should process their Individual Contract Verification with the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Manama, Bahrain, to prevent issues when securing an OEC or during flight.
Contents
Qualifications
For those wondering who should verify their employment contract, here are the following individuals qualified to process their Individual Contract Verification in MWO Bahrain:
- Filipino nationals who are working overseas without POEA records
- Filipino workers who are registered with POEA but changed their employers on-site
- Filipino nationals who have potential employers and an employment visa approved by the Immigration Department
- Household Service Workers (HSWs):
- For Kuwait citizen sponsors- renew contract verification every two (2) years
- For foreign national sponsors- renew contract verification every one (1) year
- Other Filipino workers on a fixed-term contract
Requirements
Here are the primary documentary requirements for those who wish to process an Individual Contract Verification with MWO Bahrain:
- Copy of 2-way Airline ticket
- Copy of employee’s CPR
- Copy of Commercial Registration (CR)
- Copy of employer or company’s authorized signatory CPR in the COE and EC
- Copy of passport with at least six (6) months validity before intended departure from the Philippines
- Copy of valid visa or Residence Permit (RP)
- Copy of Affidavit of Undertaking for drivers
- Two (2) copies of the original Employment Contract (EC) (sponsor should sign and stamp the company logo on all of the pages of the contract)
- If the visit visa to local transfer and working visa, a copy of the sworn statement explaining how the worker obtained employment
- Copy of Certificate of Employment (COE) printed with company letterhead and stamp and duly signed by employer and employee
- Copy of letter from the employer stating the worker’s transfer of job site (if returning to the same employer but different job site)
- Copy of Contingency Plan printed with company letterhead and stamp and duly signed by employer or authorized signatory
Click here to download a copy of the Employment Contract, Affidavit of Undertaking, Contingency Plan, and Sworn Statement from the Embassy of the Philippines in Manama, Bahrain. Moreover, note that MWO Bahrain will only verify an Employment Contract if it meets the following minimum labor standards:
- The specified job site should be within Bahrain only
- The basic monthly wage should not be lower than BD 150 with indicated payment method and schedule
- Free accommodation, food, and transportation and includes compensation allowances
- Clear stated start and end dates of the contract
- Free return flight after fulfilling the contract or an equivalent amount if the worker didn’t take the offer
- The work day per week should be 48 hours maximum with one (1) day of a week
- Sick leave eligibility and benefits
- Free dental and emergency medical treatment
- Entitlement for personal life accident insurance
- Stated grounds or causes for terminating the contract or the worker’s service
- Manner of settlement of disputes
- If the worker dies while on the job site, the employer should cover the expenses for the repatriation of human remains and personal belongings
Fees
Also, OFWs verifying their Employment Contract with MWO Bahrain should pay the following applicable fees:
- Verification fee- BHD 4
- OWWA Membership fee- US$25 converted to local currency based on the foreign exchange rate (if OWWA membership is expired or about to expire)
How to Verify Employment Contract in MWO Bahrain
To verify an Employment Contract, OFWs should personally visit MWO Bahrain and submit their requirements. Based on a Facebook post advisory from MWO Bahrain, they have suspended walk-in transactions since September 2022. But on another post from the Philippine Embassy in Bahrain, they stated that MWO accepts walk-ins from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Since there is no specific process for Individual Contract Verification, we advise OFWs to contact MWO Bahrain before visiting their office.
You may follow the steps below to verify your Employment Contract in MWO Bahrain:
- Contact MWO Bahrain to confirm if they accept walk-ins or if the appointment is necessary. You may call MWO Bahrain at +973 38072476 or via email at polobahrain@yahoo.com. Also, you may inquire with the Philippine Embassy in Bahrain thru their official Facebook page or website.
- Visit MWO Bahrain on the day of your appointment.
- Present your proof of approved appointment schedule (printed/screenshot), valid ID, and original passport to the security personnel.
- Get a token number and head to the receiving counter.
- Submit your complete documentary requirements for evaluation.
- Next, pay the verification fee and other applicable fees.
- Then, collect your official receipt and wait for the release of your verified employment contract.
Also, note that the Philippine Embassy in Manama, Bahrain, moved to a new location in January 2023. They are now in Building 2168, Road 2755, Block 327, Adliya, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain. So OFWs verifying their Employment Contract with MWO should visit this location.
Reminders
If processing your Individual Contract Verification with MWO Bahrain, please take note of the following reminders:
- As of writing, MWO Bahrain doesn’t have an appointment portal for labor-related services. The appointment system of the Philippine Embassy in Bahrain is only for consular services.
- Since there is no detailed process for verifying an Employment Contract, OFWs should contact MWO or the Philippine Embassy in Bahrain if they accept walk-in or requires an appointment.
- Don’t forget to print or screenshot the confirmed appointment schedule in your email and bring it on the day of your appointment with MWO Bahrain.
- Wear appropriate attire when visiting the Embassy premises. Applicants wearing strapless, spaghetti-strap blouses, tank tops, sando, skimpy skirts, shorts, leggings, and slippers won’t be allowed entry to the Embassy.
- For more details, contact MWO Bahrain at polobahrain@yahoo.com. Also, you may call their 24/7 hotline and Whatsapp at +973 38072476.
Video: OEC and Contract Verification Bahrain
Please check out this video by our kabayan Al Alejandro as he shares tips about the process of contract verification application and OEC in Manama:
Summary
In summary, OFWs have to verify their Employment Contract from time to time. It’s essential for OFWs who have changed employers and job sites or Household Services Workers (HSWs) to renew their employment contracts. This process is only available at Migrant Workers’ Offices (MWOs) abroad.
OFWs should apply for an Individual Contract Verification with MWO Bahrain before vacationing in the Philippines. Otherwise, a representative should personally submit their documents to MWO Bahrain.
Contact Details
MWO POLO Office Bahrain
Operating Hours: 8:00 am – 3:00 pm, Sunday to Thursday
Address: Villa No. 939, Road 3220, Block 332, Mahooz, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain
Hotline (24/7 Duty Officer): 38072476
Telephone: +973 17740951
Email: polobahrain@yahoo.com
Website: https://manamape.dfa.gov.ph/
Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/PHLinBahrain/
Google Map Location
Below is a map guide to the location of the POLO-OWWA office in Manama, Bahrain for the OEC certificate: