OFW Guide - OFWs Can Now Install DMW Mobile App

The Department of Migrant Workers or DMW (former POEA) invites overseas Filipino workers to install their Mobile App. Launched last July 21, this app aims to promote digtal transactions of OFWs.This app contains the OFW Pass, the digital alternative to overseas employment certificate (OEC).

The Department of Migrant Workers or DMW (former POEA) invites overseas Filipino workers to install their Mobile App. Launched last July 21, this app aims to promote digital transactions of OFWs. This app contains the OFW Pass, the digital alternative to overseas employment certificate (OEC) is still in its pilot test run in the Philippines and 10 countries with the most number of OWs:

Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Oman, Taiwan, United Kingdom, Japan

The app is free to download in Google Play Store (“DMW Mobile App) and  Apple App Store (DMWMobile) . The OFW Pass is free as well

To register, follow the instructions and be ready with your passport. Successful registration will give you a  Lifetime e-Registration Number (ERN) that you can see when you click the  “View OFW Pass” in the app.

To have an active ang OFW Pass that you can use when going abroad, it needs to go through a visa verification process. Hereare the acceptable IDs for  visa verification

Saudi Arabia – Visa, ID card
United Arab Emirates - Residence card
Qatar -Residence permit, Visa
Hong Kong - ID card, Permanent ID card
Singapore - Employment card, ID card
Malaysia - ID card, Permanent residence card
Oman - ID card, Residence card
Taiwan - Alien resident card, Residence card
United Kingdom - Application registration card. Residence permit visa
Japan - ID card. Mu number card, Residence card, Visa

As of this writing, users are still reporting technical issues. Thus, physical OEC’s will still be accepted for now.  Migrant Workers Secretary,   Susan Ople said,  “Just to avoid a panic situation and confusion, we are still maintaining the OEC at least for two months,” sabi ni Ople. 

Source -  https://www.dmw.gov.ph/ofwpass

Click here to check out and download the DMW Mobile App. 

Info About The Special Hiring Program for Taiwan

 Do you want to work in Taiwan? Do you want to join the applicant registry of the Special Hiring Program for Taiwan (SHPT) with a new electronic application system? Do you want to do it with the least cost? This is the information stated in the POEA website.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) released the following information to all qualified applicants:

On August 3, 2015, the Philippines and Taiwan agreed through their respective Department of Labor to use the International Direct E-recruitment System (IDES) to expedite the process of recruiting OFWs for qualified Taiwanese employers in the sectors of manufacturing, construction and domestic work for the SHPT. The SHPT is being implemented under the administration of the government: POEA in the Philippines and the Direct Hiring Service Center - Workforce Development Agency of Taiwan, including the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO).

For a better chance to be chosen by employers, applicants who wish to work in Taiwan should be ready with the following requirements:

• Valid passport with effectivity of more than 12 months/one year
• SSS Unified Multi-Purpose ID card (UMID)
• With required National Certificate from TESDA if the category is skilled or caregiving (for home or care institution
• NBI clearance, school diploma, employment certificates, etc.
• Right age (not younger than 23 years old for domestic workers or 21 years old for other sectors
• Enough work experience in the field of manufacturing, construction, fishery or domestic service and caregiving
• Ready to undergo a sa 6-day Comprehensive Pre-Departure Education Program (CPDEP) of OWWA in case chosen by employer
• Has done SHPT-IDES e-registration for Taiwan https://eservices.poea.gov.ph
• Taken Pre-Employment Orientation Seminar (PEOS) online at peos.poea.gov.ph

The  minimum salary for SHPT workers is:

• NT$20,008 (equivalent to Php28,411) for factory workers, fishermen, caretakers who will work in a care institution
• NT$17,000 (equivalent to Php24,000) for domestic workers or caretakers who will work at home (NT$=Php1.42)

The authorized salary deductions is for the contribution to the National Health Insurance, Labor Insurance Insurance and Income Tax. The initial contract is for 3 years and can be extended up to 12 years if desired by both parties (OFW and Employer).

The fees to be paid are for:

• Passport
• Pre-Employment Medical Examination
• Visa
• Overseas Employment Certificate (ukol sa POEA, OWWA, Phil-Health and Pag-IBIG)
• Airfare

     EXPENSES UNDER THE T-IDES

Pre-Deployment (approximated)

Type of Fees	Amount in Php
POEA Processing /OEC (US$50)	2,253.21
OWWA contribution (US$25)	1,126.61
Phil-Health Contribution	2,400.00
Pag-IBIG Contribution	600.00
SSS UMID	1,650.00
TESDA Certification	500.00
Passport Fee	1,200.00
NBI Clearance	115.00
NSO Birth Certificate	140.00
Medical Fee	2,500.00
Visa Fee	2,800.00
Airfare	7,500.00

·        

ON-SITE LEGAL DEDUCTIONS
Post–Arrival (approximated)

Type of Deduction	NT$		Frequency
Labor Insurance (Formal Sector only)	360	Monthly
National Health Insurance (Formal and informal sectors)	295		Monthly
Food and Accommodation	NT$0 - NT$4,000		Monthly
Income Tax (computation varies, based on several factors- total income received with overtime pay, length of stay, exemptions – spouse, dependents, etc.)	Approximate range NT$0 -NT$36,000		Yearly
Medical Check Up (3 days upon arrival; after 6th, 18th, 30th months)	1,800 each time		4 x in three years
Alien Residence Certificate	1,000		Yearly
1. For the informal sector, deductions range from NT$20,820 to NT$22,373 for 3 years or NT$578 to NT$621 per month. 2. For the formal sector, deductions range from NT$33,780 to NT$285,780 for 3 years or NT$938 to NT$7,938 per month.

·         Source - https://www.dmw.gov.ph/archives/shpt/shpt.html