For Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Thailand who wish to verify their Employment Contract, contact the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This document is essential for OFWs without POEA records or who have changed their employers/job sites. Moreover, vacationing OFWs need this document to secure their Overseas Employment Contract (OEC) from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). So keep reading as we’ve created an in-depth guide for Individual Contract Verification in Thailand.
Individual Contract Verification is an essential process as it allows the Labor Attaché to verify the contracts of OFWs to ensure they comply with the prevailing laws, standards, and practices of the Philippines and the host country. In addition, it helps protect the rights, welfare, and benefits of OFWs and ensure they’re legally employed overseas. That’s why OFWs in Thailand should undergo Individual Contract Verification in MWO Malaysia.
Contents
Qualifications
OFWs who wish to process their Individual Contract Verification in Thailand should 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)
Furthermore, OFWs don’t need to authenticate their renewed contracts if they have previously secured a verified Employment Contract with their current employer. But they should present their old verified and renewed contracts and still work for the same employer when applying for the BM employment certificate.
Requirements
Since the MWO Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia handles the labor-related services in Thailand, OFWs should secure the following requirements for Individual Contract Verification:
For Direct Hire Professional/Skilled Workers
- Duly accomplished Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Standard Employment Contract for Various Skilled Workers – Employment Contract certified by any registered Malaysian Notary Public
- Immigration approval for Employment (Calling Visa/DP10/MSC approval) – with English translation from the High Court/Session Court Interpreter
- Business License – with English translation from the High Court/Session Court Interpreter, Malaysian Notary Public
- Company Forms 24 & 49 – certified true copy by the company secretary
- Letter/Certification from the company regarding the number of employed/hired Filipinos
- Affidavit of Undertaking
- Copy of worker’s Philippine passport (data page only with signature) – valid for at least six (6) months before the intended date of departure
- Passport-size photo of the worker
- Proof of worker’s insurance coverage
For Domestic Workers/Household Service Workers (HSWs) (2nd and succeeding renewal)
- Previously verified Employment Contract
- Duly accomplished POEA Standard Employment Contract for Domestic Workers – notarized by any registered Malaysian Notary Public
- Copy of worker’s Philippine passport (data page only with signature) – valid for at least six (6) months before the intended date of departure
- Photocopy of worker’s valid working visa
- Photocopy of employer’s IC
- Insurance for the worker
- Passport-size photo of the worker
- Notarized Affidavit of Undertaking – for Domestic Workers registered on site and renewal without agency
Do note the Employment Contract Verification should be course thru an accredited Malaysian agency for OFWs who have changed employers, and the employment period with the current employer is below five (5) years. But the Domestic Worker and employer should both appear at the Embassy during the Employment Contract renewal if the process thru an accredited Malaysian agency is no longer required.
Fees
Also, OFWs should pay the following applicable fees:
- Contract Verification fee – RM 48 (converted to THB)
- OWWA Membership fee – US$25 converted to local currency based on the foreign exchange rate (if OWWA membership is expiring or expired)
How to Verify Employment Contract in Thailand
As of writing, OFWs in Thailand can verify their Employment Contract thru MWO Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Philippine Embassy in Thailand also conducts Consular Outreach Missions where labor-related services, like Contract Verification, are usually provided. To verify an Employment Contract in Thailand, follow the steps below:
Via MWO Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Visit the official Facebook page of the Philippine Embassy in Malaysia or MWO Malaysia.
- Look for the new jotform link and set an appointment with MWO Malaysia. (Note: You may contact their office for inquiries or to book an appointment.)
- Print or screenshot the confirmed appointment letter sent to your email.
- Visit MWO Malaysia on the day of your appointment.
- Present your confirmed appointment schedule and valid ID to the security personnel.
- Get a token number and wait for your turn.
- Go to the processing window and submit your complete requirements for verification.
- Pay the applicable fees.
- Then, collect your official receipt and wait for the issuance of your verified Employment Contract.
If unable to set an appointment, OFWs may walk in and drop their documentary requirements on the designated box for Contract Verification from Sunday to Thursday until 11:00 am only. For inquiries, OFWs may also contact MWO Malaysia thru the following:
- Telephone: +(603) 2181 7299 / +(603) 2161 2222
- Hotline: +(6017) 8837 089
- Email: mwo_kualalumpur@dmw.gov.ph
Via Consular Outreach Mission (Philippine Embassy in Thailand)
Meanwhile, if visiting MWO Malaysia is not applicable, OFWs may also attend the Consular Outreach Mission conducted by the Philippine Embassy in Thailand.
- Visit the official Facebook page of the Philippine Embassy in Thailand.
- Inquire regarding the upcoming schedule and venue of the Consular Outreach Mission. Also, ask if they will offer labor-related services during the said event.
- Set an appointment if applicable.
- Go to the designated venue of the Consular Outreach Mission.
- Submit your requirements for verification.
- Pay the applicable fees.
- Then, collect your official receipt and wait for the issuance of your verified Employment Contract.
Summary
In summary, a verified Employment Contract is helpful for OFWs by protecting their rights and welfare and providing them access to the benefits MWOs and their partners offer. With a verified Employment Contract, OFWs can verify the legality of their employment and employer. If vacationing, this document is also essential since it’s a primary requirement to secure an OEC or an exit clearance for OFWs leaving the country for overseas employment. Therefore, we encourage OFWs in Thailand to verify their Employment Contracts thru MWO Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.