The Migrant Workers Office (MWO) London provides Individual Contract Verification to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), ensuring the legality of their contracts in the host country. It’s also a requirement for Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC), an exit clearance for Filipinos departing the Philippines to work abroad. If you need this document, keep reading to learn how to process Individual Contract Verification in MWO London, United Kingdom.
Verifying the Employment Contract enables the Labor Attaché to check if OFWs’ contracts follow the prevailing laws of the Philippines and the host country. This process ensures the safety of OFWs’ welfare, benefits, and rights. That’s why OFWs should undertake the Individual Contract Verification in MWO London, United Kingdom, whenever renewing a contract or changing employer/job site before vacationing in the Philippines.
Contents
Qualifications
For OFWs who meet any of the qualifications below, request Individual Contract Verification in MWO London, United Kingdom:
- 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 (like dependents, permanent residents, petitioned family members, spouse or fiance visas)
- Filipino workers on a fixed-term contract (verify every renewal)
Requirements
Here are the following documentary requirements for Individual Contract Verification n MWO London, United Kingdom:
Land Based
For Accredited Principals
- Original Employment Contract – notarized by a Notary Public/Solicitor in UK/Northern Ireland and legalized by UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) (signed on all pages by the worker and employer)
- Copy of passport of the employer or authorized signatory of the document
- Copy of employee’s passport – with at least six (6) months validity before the intended date of departure
- Copy of employee’s visa or certificate of sponsorship assignment
- Other supporting documents the Office of the Labor Attaché may require
For Unaccredited Principals
- Original Employment Contract – notarized by a Notary Public/Solicitor in UK/Northern Ireland and legalized FCO (signed on all pages by the worker and employer)
- Copy of passport of the employer or authorized signatory of the document
- Copy of employee’s passport (data page only) – with at least six (6) months validity before the intended date of departure
- Copy of employee’s visa or certificate of sponsorship assignment
- Special Power of Attorney – notarized by a Notary Public/Solicitor in UK/Northern Ireland and legalized FCO
- RA
- Manpower Request/Job order – notarized by a Notary Public/Solicitor in UK/Northern Ireland and legalized FCO
- Master Employment Contract – notarized by a Notary Public/Solicitor in UK/Northern Ireland and legalized FCO
- Proof the employer/company has UKBA/RI licensed to sponsor migrant workers.
- Guarantee Letter from the Principal that the number of Certificates of Sponsorship to cover the Manpower requirement in the Job Order is sufficient – notarized by a Notary Public/Solicitor in UK/Northern Ireland and legalized FCO
- Other supporting documents the Office of the Labor Attaché may require
For Direct Hiring of Household Services Workers (HSWs)
- Original Employment Contract – notarized by a Notary Public/Solicitor in UK/Northern Ireland and legalized FCO (signed on all pages by the worker and employer)
- Copy of passport of the employer or authorized signatory of the document
- Copy of employee’s passport (data page only) – with at least six (6) months validity before the intended date of departure
- Copy of employee’s visa or certificate of sponsorship assignment
- Letter Request for POEA Exemption
- Duly accomplished employer’s profile
- Other supporting documents the Office of the Labor Attaché may require
Sea-Based
For Accredited Principals
- Original sea-based Employment Contract and Standard Terms and Conditions of Employment – notarized by a Notary Public/Solicitor in the UK/Northern Ireland and legalized FCO (signed on all pages by the worker and employer)
- Certified true copy of the Company’s Certificate of Registration/Incorporation
- Copy of employer’s passport (data page only)
- Certified true copy of ship/vessel registry
- Copy of employee’s passport (data page only) – with at least six (6) months validity before the intended date of departure
- Copy of employee’s visa or UKBA’s certificate of assignment
- Other supporting documents the Office of the Labor Attaché may require
For Unaccredited Principals
- Original sea-based Employment Contract and Standard Terms and Conditions of Employment – notarized by a Notary Public/Solicitor in the UK/Northern Ireland and legalized FCO (signed on all pages by the worker and employer)
- Certified true copy of the Company’s Certificate of Registration/Incorporation
- Copy of employer’s passport (data page only)
- Certified true copy of ship/vessel registry
- Copy of employee’s passport (data page only) – with at least six (6) months validity before the intended date of departure
- Copy of employee’s visa or UKBA’s certificate of assignment
- Special Power of Attorney
- Manning Agreement
- Crew Complement/Manpower Request
- Other supporting documents the Office of the Labor Attaché may require
Fees
To secure a verified Employment Contract from MWO London, United Kingdom, pay the following applicable fees:
- Contract Verification fee- £9
- Authentication fee- £18 (for each verified document)
- OEC fee- £2 (if OFW is vacationing in the Philippines
- OWWA Membership fee- US$25 converted to local currency based on the foreign exchange rate (if OWWA membership is expired or about to expire)
If hiring a single worker, pay a verification fee of £14 for each of the following requirements or other relevant documents:
- Employer’s Certificate of Registration/Incorporation
- Individual Employment Contract
- Manpower Request/Job order
- Special Power of Attorney
- Other documents
If hiring many workers, pay a verification fee of £42 for each of the following requirements or other relevant documents:
- Master Employment Contract
- Manpower Request/Job order
- Recruitment Agreement
- Special Power of Attorney
- Other documents
But note that the fees stated above may differ at the time of application. So it’s ideal to contact MWO London regarding the latest fees they collect for Individual Contract Verification.
How to Verify Employment Contract in MWO London, United Kingdom
To verify Employment Contract in MWO London, follow the steps below:
Via Personal Transaction (Walk-in On-site)
- Prepare the documentary requirements in 2 sets (one original and one photocopy).
- Visit MWO London and submit the complete documentary requirements.
- MWO London will only process and verify complete documentary requirements.
- Pay the verification and authentication fees in cash.
- Then, wait for the release of the verified Employment Contract and other documents.
Via Mail
1. Send the documentary requirements in 2 sets (one original and one photocopy) to the MWO London mailing address:
Office of the Labor Attaché
Philippine Embassy, 6 Suffolk St., London
SW1Y 4HG
2. Add the payment for verification fees in the postal money order payable to MWO-London.
3. Include an additional postal money order for the authentication fees payable to the Philippine Embassy – London.
4. MWO London will process and verify the documents if the requirements are in order and complete.
5. For the return of documents, enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Video: OFW Direct-Hire Filipina in UK
Please check out this guide on the process of getting OEC and in turn, also process contract verification as shared by a Filipina based in the UK:
Summary
Securing a verified Employment Contract helps OFWs to ensure they’re legally employed and staying abroad. In addition, this process gives OFWs access to the benefits and services of MWO London and the host government.
A verified Employment Contract protects OFWs from illegal recruiters and guarantees they’ll receive sufficient pay and benefits. But before applying for Individual Contract Verification, we advise OFWs to contact MWO London for more details.