Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) should verify their contracts to register their employment with POEA. If vacationing in the Philippines, OFWs should also bring their verified Employment Contracts to obtain their Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC), an exit clearance for Filipinos leaving the country to work abroad. So if you need to secure this document, read our in-depth guide for Individual Contract Verification in MWO Rome, Italy.
Verification of Employment Contracts helps the Labor Attaché ensure the provisions in the contracts comply with the current laws of the Philippines and the host country. In addition, it helps protect OFWs’ rights, benefits, and welfare while working overseas. Thus, OFWs should verify their Employment Contracts in the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) Rome, Italy.
Contents
Qualifications
For OFWs who wish to verify their Employment Contracts, check 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)
Do note that OFWs with previously verified employment contracts with their current employer no longer need to validate their renewed contracts again. When applying for a BM employment certificate, present the old verified and renewed contracts, given that the OFW works for the same employer.
Requirements
If qualified to undergo Individual Contract Verification in MWO Rome, secure the following documentary requirements:
On-site Registration for OFWs
- Employment Contract
- Worker’s passport (with at least six (6) months validity before the intended date of departure)
- Valid work permit of the worker
- Valid ID of the employer’s authorized signatory
- Authorization of the authorized signatory
- Business Registration of the employer
- Latest payslips
- Signed Undertaking
Note: Notarize the documents with the employer’s signature if the employer can’t provide a valid ID with a signature.
For Filipino nationals working abroad without POEA records or those who transferred job sites with a new employer
Provide the following additional requirements:
- Narrative
OFWs should submit a notarized affidavit of all the circumstances regarding the recruitment and employment process with the employer. Also, it should include information about the agency that recruited the worker, payments (if any) made to the recruiter, payment mode, conduct at the immigration, relevant dates, and other relevant details.
- Employer Declaration
The employer should submit a matrix of all Filipino nationals they have recruited and employed with a declaration they will recruit/hire more Filipinos in the future and comply with the POEA/Philippine procedures.
For Employers hiring Domestic Workers
- Employment Contract – all pages signed by the employer
- Manpower Request/Job Order -directed to PRA
- Recruitment Agreement between employer and the Philippine Recruitment Agency (PRA) – all pages signed by the employer
- Special Power of Attorney – giving PRA authority to act on the employer’s behalf
- Certificate from the Local Police Department -providing the employer and their immediate family members don’t have criminal records or are not involved in abuse or violent cases.
- Employer’s ID
- Contingency Plan
- Employer’s Information Sheet (click here to download)
- Proof of Financial Capability
- Valid IDs of PRA Representative
- Valid license of PRA
- Signatory Card of PRA
- Signed Undertaking (click here to download)
- Worker’s passport (with at least six (6) months validity before the intended date of departure)
- Work permit (Single entry permit of Nulla Osta)
For Foreign Recruitment Agency
- Manpower Request/Job Order -directed to PRA
- Master Employment Contract – all pages signed by the employer or authorized signatory
- Recruitment Agreement between employer and the Philippine Recruitment Agency
- Special Power of Attorney – giving PRA authority to act on the employer’s behalf
- Commercial Registration/Business License (If the document is not in English, provide a notarized English translation)
- PRA Authorized Signatory ID
- Joint Affidavit of Undertaking
- License to operate in the Host Country as an Employment Agency
- Valid IDs of PRA Representative
- Signatory Card of PRA
- Valid license of PRA
- List of clients’ names and addresses and their service contracts (For outsourcing/staffing companies acting as worker’s employers)
For Employers of Land Based Workers (New Employer)
- Manpower Request/Job Order -directed to PRA
- Master Employment Contract – all pages signed by the employer or authorized signatory
- Recruitment Agreement between employer and the Philippine Recruitment Agency
- Special Power of Attorney – giving PRA authority to act on the employer’s behalf
- Commercial Registration/Business License (If the document is not in English, provide a notarized English translation)
- Contingency Plan
- Valid IDs of employer/authorized signatory (If authorized signatory, submit a Company/Board authority)
- Employer Profile (including years in business, number of employers, and business activities)
- Proof of Financial Capability
- Valid IDs of PRA Representative
- Signatory Card of PRA
- Valid license of PRA
- Signed Undertaking
- Other supporting documents
For Sea Based Employers
- Commercial Registration/Business License (If the document is not in English, provide a notarized English translation)
- Crew Request/Complement (including the number of openings and wage scale)
- List of ships, registration numbers, and vessel information
- Valid POEA license of Manning Agency
- Valid IDs and Signatory Cards of Manning Agency representatives
- Manning Agreement
- Photocopy of the employer or authorized signatory valid IDs
- Special Power of Attorney
Fees
To obtain a verified Employment Contract, pay the applicable fees below:
- Contract Verification fee – €9
- OWWA Membership fee – US$25 converted to local currency based on the foreign exchange rate (if OWWA membership is expired or about to expire)
Below is the checklist of requirements from MWO Rome for On-Site Verification:
How to Verify Employment Contract in MWO Rome, Italy
To verify Employment Contract in MWO Rome, Italy, follow the steps below:
1. Click this link to request Employment Contract Verification with MWO Rome.
2. Fill out the required information on the Verification Request Form, including:
- OFW Details (First Name, Middle Name, Last Name, valid Email, and Mobile Number)
- Current Employment Details (Jobsite, Name of Employer, and Position)
- Verification Request (Choose transaction status)
3. Review the details you’ve entered and click the Submit Verification Request button.
4. Check your email for the next step on the Verification Request from MWO Rome.
5. Next, scan the complete requirements in a PDF file. Then, submit them by replying to the email of MWO Rome.
6. After submitting the requirements, wait for a confirmation and schedule for Skype meeting/appointment.
7. The Labor Attaché will interview the OFW/Employer/Authorized Representative.
8. Submit two (2) sets of complete requirements and a return envelope to the MWO Rome mailing address:
Migrant Workers Office
Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines
Via Aurelia 290A
00165, Rome Italy
9. Pay the verification fee thru Bank Transfer.
10. If requirements are incomplete/incorrect, MWO Rome will return the documents and fees in the provided return envelope. Also, the MWO Rome staff will contact you for more information.
11. Once your Employment Contract is verified, MWO Rome will notify you via email. Then, you can pick up your documents at the Philippine Embassy.
Also, the verification request is only for OFWs verifying their contracts on-site to obtain Balik-Manggagawa employment certificates. For new hires, the applicant should send an individual email to services@polorome.com.
Video: OFW Contract Verification in Rome
Summary
By verifying the Employment Contract in MWO Rome, OFWs can ensure they’re legally working and staying in Italy. Furthermore, it gives OFWs a sense of security that they will receive benefits from their employer, host country, and MWO Rome. Therefore, OFWs changing employers, job sites, or those without POEA records should undergo Individual Contract Verification in MWO Rome, Italy.