For OFWs in Syria, you should know that acquiring your Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) is essential whether you’re returning to the same employer and job site or changed employers on-site. This document helps DMW office to verify your overseas employer and protect you from exploitation. You’ll also need OEC whenever leaving the Philippines for employment reasons. So to make things easier for you, check out our in-depth guide on how to get OEC in Syria.
The Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) is used to verify the legality of the employers of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), issued by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) or previously known as the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).
This document also serves as an exit clearance that OFWs should present to immigration officers before they’re allowed to leave the Philippine airport and head to their overseas job site.
Aside from this, OEC provides OFWs with benefits such as travel tax, terminal fees exemption, and reduced travel tax for their dependents and spouses. That’s why OFWs in Syria are encouraged to get their OEC before their return flight date.
Contents
Requirements
If you’re vacationing in the Philippines and returning to Syria, here are the following requirements you should secure to get your OEC, as per DMW:
For workers with existing DMW records vacationing for the first time and returning to the same employer and job site to fulfill or extend their employment contract
- POPS-BaM Appointment form
- BM Information Sheet
- Valid Passport with at least 6-month validity (copy of photo page)
- Valid Employment Pass and re-entry Visa
- Valid Work Visa, Work Permit, or any equivalent document
- POLO verified Employment Contract
- Photocopy of Confirmed 2-way Airline Ticket or travel agency-issued itinerary
- Proof of active OWWA membership such as official receipt and certificate of coverage
- Other necessary documents such as Company ID, Employment Certificate, or latest payslip
For workers with existing DMW records returning to the same employer but in a different job site
- POPS-BaM Appointment form
- BM Information Sheet
- Valid Passport with at least 6-month validity (copy of photo page)
- Valid Employment Pass and re-entry Visa
- Valid Work Visa, Work Permit, or any equivalent document
- POLO verified Employment Contract
- Photocopy of Confirmed 2-way Airline Ticket or travel agency-issued itinerary
- Proof of active OWWA membership such as official receipt and certificate of coverage
- Other necessary documents such as Company ID, Employment Certificate, or latest payslip
- Letter from the employer confirming the worker’s transfer of job site
For workers without existing DMW records and those who have changed employers on-site
- POPS-BaM Appointment form
- BM Information Sheet
- Valid Passport with at least 6-month validity (copy of photo page)
- Valid Employment Pass and re-entry Visa
- Valid Work Visa, Work Permit, or any equivalent document
- POLO verified Employment Contract
- Photocopy of Confirmed 2-way Airline Ticket or travel agency-issued itinerary
- Proof of active OWWA membership such as official receipt and certificate of coverage
- Other necessary documents such as Company ID, Employment Certificate, or latest payslip
- Sworn Statement explaining how the worker obtained employment
On the other hand, workers who don’t have a verified Employment Contract yet should contact POLO Syria for the necessary documents for the application. This document is a prerequisite to acquiring OEC, so ensure to secure it first.
Processing Fees
Apart from the documentary requirements, you also need to settle the following applicable fees to get your OEC:
- OEC processing fee of P100
- OWWA membership fee of US$25
For those hired by a recruitment agency, your employer will pay you the following:
- POEA processing fee of P200
- PhilHealth Medicare fee of P900 (annual coverage)
- OWWA membership fee of US$25
Qualifications
Considering that the purpose of issuing OEC is to certify worker’s legal employment abroad, DMW and POLO only release this document to the following qualified workers:
- OFWs who acquired work from an overseas Employer or Sponsor via direct hiring
- OFWs who acquired employment via a recruitment agency
- OFWs hired via DMW’s Government Placement Branch (GPB)
- OFWs with existing DMW database records and returning to the same job site after vacationing with an employment contract or working visa
- OFWs with existing DMW database record returning to the same employer but in a different job site
- OFWs without DMW database records or changes employers on-site
But according to DMW, Filipinos with the following status no longer need to get an OEC when traveling back and forth in the Philippines:
- Immigrant
- Permanent Resident
- Dependent/Spouse of Foreign National
- Intra-Company Transferee
- Vacationing OFWs visiting other countries, except their job site
- Trainee
- US J1 Visa holder/ Cultural Exchange Programs
- Other Non-OFW Status as evaluated
How to Book an OEC Appointment in POLO Syria
According to a Facebook post of DMW, all returning OFWs should book an appointment for OEC issuance. The same goes for those applying for OEC at POLO. And before you can book an OEC appointment, you need to register an account on POPS-BaM by following the steps below:
How to Register on POPS-BaM (For New Users)
- Visit the DMW Online Services Portal/POPS-BaM website.
- On the e-Registration section, click Let’s Go and Register.
- Check the I Accept the Terms of Use.
- Fill out the required fields and click Register.
- Check your registered email on POPS-BaM and copy the provided Temporary Password.
- Input the Temporary Password and change it to your chosen password.
- Once you’ve logged in, click My Profile on the right of the dashboard.
- Fill out the required details.
- Double-check your account details and click Update Profile.
- Fill out the Identification Details.
- Input your Beneficiary details.
- Upload a Profile Picture and a copy of your Passport to finish the account setup.
How to book an OEC Appointment in POPS-BaM
For those with a POPS-BaM account already, ensure to complete your account setup and provide accurate employment details to avoid delays when processing OEC. You should also update your employment details whenever necessary.
Additionally, workers with old BM accounts should transfer their records to POPS-BaM by clicking Transfer old BM record on the DMW Helpdesk section. Then, follow the steps below to book an OEC appointment:
- Visit the DMW Online Services Portal/POPS-BaM website.
- On the e-Registration, click Let’s Go and log in.
- On the dashboard, click Balik Manggagawa under My Links and click Next.
- If your profile is incomplete, provide the required data to proceed.
- Input your flight date and click Next.
- If you’re not a Balik Manggagawa or not returning to the same employer and job site, answer NO to the questions to proceed with the booking.
- Update the details on your contract and click Submit.
- Choose a Processing Site and click Next.
- Take a screenshot or print your confirmed POPS-BaM appointment form.
How to Apply for OEC in POLO Syria
Since there’s not much detail for OEC issuance on the website and Facebook page of the Philippine Embassy in Damascus, it’s unclear whether POLO or DMW releases OEC to OFWs in Syria. So for further details, OFWs are advised to contact the Philippine Embassy in Syria regarding the process for OEC issuance.
Nonetheless, POLO Syria won’t issue OEC to workers who arrived in the nation with a tourist or visit visa and obtained a work visa. The same goes for workers without existing records on DMW or POLO verified Employment Contracts. Instead, POLO Syria will only process the workers’ Contract Verification since it’s a requirement for applying OEC at DMW offices back in the Philippines.
To get your OEC, here are the processes to expect:
- Visit POLO Syria/DMW office on the day of your appointment.
- Proceed to the receptionist and show your documents for evaluation.
- The receptionist will hand out the necessary forms that you should fill out.
- Submit the forms and wait for your turn.
- Pay the applicable fees.
- Wait for the issuance of your OEC and other documents.
How to Get OEC Online in Syria
Another Facebook Post update of DMW states that workers returning to the same employer and job site and those hired by the GPB no longer need to apply on-site as they’re qualified to get an OEC exemption. Through the OEC exemption, Balik Mangagagawa or returning workers can get OEC online and be exempt from paying the OEC processing fee. So to get OEC online in Syria, follow the steps below:
- Visit the DMW Online Services Portal/POPS-BaM website.
- On the e-Registration section, click Let’s Go and log in.
- If your account details are incomplete, provide the missing data to continue.
- Input your Flight Date and click Next.
- Answer Yes to the questions to confirm you’re a Balik Mangggagawa or a worker returning to the same employer and job site.
- Print your OEC online and ensure to only request your OEC within 60 days of your return flight date.
Video: OEC Validity
For more details on OEC, please watch the video below:
As discussed in the video, OEC has a 60-day validity. So if you’re vacationing in the Philippines for 3-months, you should not get your OEC yet. Instead, you should apply for your OEC if your return flight date to your job site is less than 60 days to ensure that it’s still valid on the date of your departure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please check out these common questions and answers about the process of getting an OEC in Damascus:
1. How can I get an OEC exemption in Syria?
You can get an OEC exemption in Syria if returning to the same employer and job site. If yes, login to your POPS-BaM account and click the Balik Manggagawa section.
2. How can I book an OEC appointment online?
You can book an OEC appointment online by logging in to your POPS-BaM account and clicking the Balik Manggagawa section.
3. Can I get OEC in Syria without an appointment?
You’ll need an appointment whether you’re processing OEC at POLO Syria or DMW.
4. Can I get OEC at the airport?
You can get OEC at the airport if you’re on emergency leave or have confirmed flight booking.
5. How long is OEC valid?
OEC is valid for 60 days.
6. How much is the OEC fee in Syria?
The OEC fee in Syria is P100 converted to SYP based on the foreign exchange rate.
7. Can I get OEC without OWWA membership?
You need an active OWWA membership to get OEC.
Summary
To sum up, OEC is necessary for OFWs in Syria as it protects them from exploitation and entitles them to assistance and benefits from the government.
So if you’re an OFW vacationing in the Philippines, acquire your OEC within 60 days of your return flight date to ensure its validity and prevent delayed departure.
Contact Details
POLO-OWWA Syria
Operating Hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Sunday to Thursday
Address: Hamzeh bin Al Mutaleb St. Bldg. 56, West Mezzeh Area, Damascus, Syria
Telephone Numbers: +963 949 155 557, +963 011 612 5138, +963 011 613 2626
Email: pe.damascuspe@gmail.com
Website: https://damascuspe.dfa.gov.ph/
Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/PHinSyria
Google Map Location
Please check out the POLO Damascus office map guide below: