For Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Jeddah and the Western Region of Saudi Arabia who have been rehired by the same employer or have changed sponsorship, obtaining a verified Employment Contract is as essential as your passport. It’s a primary requirement for Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) since its an exit clearance OFWs should present to the immigration when departing the Philippines to work abroad. But how do you obtain this document? Keep reading as we share the process for Individual Contract Verification in MWO Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Aside from being a requirement for OEC, Individual Contract Verification is a process that enables the Labor Attaché to verify if the contracts of OFWs comply with the prevailing employment laws, standards, and practices of the Philippines and the host country. In this way, OFWs can protect their rights, benefits, and welfare. That’s why OFWs in Jeddah and the Western Region of Saudi Arabia should verify their Employment Contracts at the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Jeddah.
Contents
Qualifications
Before we dive into the procedure for Individual Contract Verification, check if you meet any of the qualifications below to verify your Employment Contract in MWO Jeddah:
- Filipino nationals without POEA records but working abroad
- 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 workers rehired by the same employer
Requirements
OFWs qualified to apply for Individual Contract Verification should also submit requirements to MWO Jeddah. But since there’s no relevant information on the official website of the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) and MWO Jeddah regarding Individual Contract Verification, we advise OFWs to refer to the documentary requirements imposed by MWO Riyadh, including:
For Household Services Workers
- New Contract (POEA Standard Contract) with the employer and Saudi Recruitment Agency (as per POEA records, or any Saudi Recruitment Agency, if the agency on record is inactive or suspended)
- Copy of worker’s IQAMA
- Copy of employer’s ID
- Copy of worker’s passport with at least six (6) months validity before departure
- Copy of Exit or Re-entry Visa, if going home
- Copy of round-trip airline ticket, if going home
Note: The contract should have the Chamber of Commerce Stamp.
For Skilled Workers
- POEA Standard Employment Contract printed with company letterhead
- Company Contract
- Qiwa Contract
- Copy of worker’s old IQAMA with the previous employer
- Copy of worker’s IQAMA with the new employer/company
- Copy of worker’s passport with at least six (6) months validity before departure
- Copy of Exit or Re-entry Visa
- Copy of round-trip airline ticket
- Copy of the ID of the new employer or manager
- Copy of valid Commercial Registration of the new employer/company (with Official English translation)
Note: The contracts should bear the Chamber of Commerce Stamp (sticker or online).
Also, we advise OFWs to contact PCG or MWO Jeddah directly for more details on the latest documentary requirements for Individual Contract Verification.
Fees
In addition to the documentary requirements, OFWs should pay the following applicable fees to secure a verified Employment Contract:
- Contract Verification fee– 40 SAR
- OWWA Membership fee– 94 SAR or 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 Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
As stated earlier, there’s limited information regarding Individual Contract Verification in MWO Jeddah. On the other hand, PCG Jeddah conducts Consular Mobile Services in areas under their jurisdiction. The said Consular Mobile Services often include labor related-services, such as verification of Employment Contracts. Therefore, OFWs in Jeddah and the Western Region of Saudi Arabia may attend the Consular Mobile Services conducted by PCG.
To verify Employment Contract in MWO Jeddah, follow the steps below:
- Visit the official Facebook page of PCG Jeddah.
- Check the schedule of the upcoming Consular Mobile Services. Also, ensure that the verification of the Employment Contract is not in the said schedule.
- Availing of service during the Consular Mobile Services doesn’t require an appointment. They implement a first-come, first-serve basis.
- In addition, don’t forget to inquire about the latest requirements for Contract Verification.
- Secure the complete documentary requirements.
- Visit the venue of PCG Jeddah Consular Mobile Services.
- Show your valid ID and vaccination card to the security personnel.
- Get a queue number for Contract Verification.
- Proceed to the counter and submit your complete documentary requirements.
- Pay the applicable fees if the requirements are complete.
- Then, collect your official receipt and wait for the release of your verified Employment Contract.
Do note that this process is for PCG Jeddah Consular Mobile Services. It’s unclear whether or not MWO Jeddah processes Individual Contract Verification in its main office. Thus, OFWs should contact MWO Jeddah for more details on the latest process for Contract Verification.
Reminders
If you wish to verify your Employment Contract during PCG Jeddah Consular Mobile Services, please take note of the following reminders:
- The schedule of Consular Mobile Services is on the Facebook page of PCG Jeddah. But not all Consular Mobile Services include labor-related services, like Contract Verification. So check the said announcement before heading to the designated venue.
- There’s no need to set an appointment for PCG Jeddah Consular Mobile Services. They accommodate clients on a first-come, first-serve basis.
- Before visiting the venue of the Consular Mobile Services, confirm the schedule with PCG Jeddah.
- Wear a mask at all times within the venue of the Consular Mobile Services.
- When attending the Consular Mobile Services, clients should wear appropriate clothes. Clients won’t be allowed to enter the venue if wearing strictly prohibited clothing, such as strapless, spaghetti-strap blouses, tank tops, sando, skimpy skirts, shorts, leggings, and slippers.
- Since there’s limited information regarding Individual Contract Verification, OFWs should contact PCG or MWO Jeddah for more details.
Video: Contract Verification for OFWs in Jeddah
Check out this video guide on the process of contract verification of employment for OFWs in Jeddah:
Summary
To sum up, OFWs in Jeddah and the Western Region of Saudi Arabia should verify their Employment Contracts whenever they change sponsorship or have been rehired by their previous employer.
Through this procedure, OFWs can ensure their safety and protect their welfare while working abroad. Verifying the Employment Contract is also necessary for OFWs vacationing in the Philippines, especially those not qualified for OEC exemption. Therefore, OFWs should obtain their verified Employment Contract before vacationing in the Philippines to avoid delays in securing OEC or being offloaded at the airport.