PEOS now mandatory for prospective OFWs

Saturday, June 25, 2016, http://www.pinoyparazzi.com/peos-now-mandatory-prospective-ofws/

THE PRE-EMPLOYMENT Orientation Seminar (PEOS) is now mandatory for prospective overseas Filipino workers, according to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).

Developed under the POEA and Jobstreet.com as part of the anti-Illegal recruitment campaign, the PEOS is an online preventive approach against illegal recruitment by providing information on important topics like considerations before working overseas, employment contract, country-specific information, required fees and requirements, and the benefits of having an overseas employment certificate.

“The PEOS is instituted as a welfare intervention to complement the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) in providing information that prepares and guides workers in making a responsible choice about going abroad,” Labor & Employment Secretary Rosalinda D. Baldoz, also chairman of the POEA Governing Board, said.

Sec. Baldoz will lead the launch of the enhancements in the PEOS website on Thursday, June 16, at POEA with Atty. Hans Leo J. Cacdac, Administrator of POEA, Atty. Rosemarie Gondranios-Duquez, Director II, Anti-Illegal Recruitment Branch of POEA, Mr. Philip A. Gioca, country manager of JobStreet.com Philippines, and Ms. Rhea C. Suiza, business unit head of WorkAbroad.ph. Enhancements to the PEOS website include the introduction of the Domestic Worker module, as well as the availability of English and Taglish language options for the modules.

PEOS Online is a breakthrough partnership for POEA, JobStreet.com, and WorkAbroad.ph. This project makes information dissemination available to more than half a million would-be overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

PEOS was originally designed as a welfare intervention that complemented the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar or PDOS for departing OFWs. It is also a major strategy of the preventive approach of the anti-illegal recruitment program. PEOS is also pursued via mass-based information campaign conducted in schools, barangay halls, churches, malls and other community venues, by POEA personnel and advocacy partners.

With the online facility developed by Jobstreet.com, prospective OFWs will have fast, easy and free access to resources that will help them in decision-making process prior to application for overseas work.

Accessible through any device – mobile, laptop, tablet or desktop, the online version boasts of comprehensive training modules. Each highlights everything jobseekers need to know about working overseas.

Application online is an easy process. The first step is to log on to www.peos.poea.gov.ph and register. Applicants may sign-up and log-in through their details so they can access the learning modules in the website. Existing members of

JobStreet.com and WorkAbroad.ph may use their account to access the PEOS online.

The applicants can take the modules depending on what category they fall under-professional and skilled workers and domestic helpers.

LEARNING MODULES FOR DOMESTIC WORKERS

The key enhancement to the PEOS Online is the Domestic Worker module. It provides eight modules in two parts. The first part entitled, “Ano ang mga kailangan kong malaman bago mag-abroad?” covers seven modules that clarify certain issues that affect those intending to be domestic workers outside the country. This includes procedures on how to apply, working abroad safely, costs of application, what to expect in an OFW contract, exercising caution while employed overseas, and the role of POEA in protecting those wanting to work overseas.

The second part are modules on specific countries where domestic workers may be deployed. As with the professional/skilled worker module, takers of the PEOS Online for Domestic Workers need to answer at least three out of five questions correctly before they could move on to the next module.

The online seminar produces the certificate immediately. Applicants can save and print their certificate and include it in their pre-employment documentary requirements that they will submit to the agencies.

As more Filipinos become aware of the benefits and costs of working overseas, more OFWs can make better decisions and are prepared to handle their work and life overseas.

Soon, the PEOS will also be accessible to seafarers and Korea-bound overseas workers.