Whether you are planning to get an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC), renew your job contract, or renew your membership with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) — having your employment contract verified is a must.
To get your employment contract verified, you’ll need to go to the Migrant Workers Office (MWO), which was previously called the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO). The MWO is the overseas operating arm of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), which, in turn — is responsible for protecting and promoting the rights and welfare of all overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
After submitting your contract, work visa, passport, and other documents to the MWO — these will get checked, stamped with “verified,” and signed by the Labor Attache. The document may then be used to process your OEC and other travel requirements.
Guide to Employment Contract Verification in Oman
Employment contract verification involves the review and authentication of an overseas Filipino worker’s job contract by the Migrant Workers Office (MWO). This process helps in making sure that the contract meets the standards of the Philippine and Omani labor laws. It also ensures that the worker’s rights and benefits are upheld, thus preventing him/her from abuse, exploitation, or becoming a victim of human trafficking.
Qualifications
Who are eligible to have their employment contracts verified? The list includes the following categories of Filipino workers:
- Filipino nationals who have been authorized for an employment visa by the Immigration Department;
- Filipino workers who have changed jobs on-site and are registered with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW);
- Filipino workers who have had a change of employer and/or name of employer for the first time in Oman;
- Household service workers (HSWs);
- Filipino workers on a fixed-term contract; and
- Filipino nationals who are working in Oman without a DMW record.
NOTE: For HSWs, contract verification is done every two (2) years for Omani citizen sponsors, and every year for foreign national sponsors. Meanwhile, for OFWs who are on a fixed-term contract, verification is done every time their contract is renewed.
Requirements and Fees
To get an employment contract verified, the following documents and fees must be gathered and prepared:
- 1 original and 2 photocopies of Employment Contract stamped by Ministry of Labor (MOL) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA);
- 1 photocopy of Worker’s Passport;
- 1 photocopy of Worker’s Visa Stamp/printed online visa;
- 1 photocopy of Worker’s Labor Card;
- 1 photocopy of Sponsor’s ID or Company Registration (CRC and OCCI);
- 1 photocopy of Health and Accident Insurance with 2 years coverage;
- Verification fee OMR 4; and
- OWWA membership fee OMR 10.
NOTE: The OWWA membership fee is necessary if the worker’s membership status with OWWA has expired or is about to expire, and needs to be renewed.
Conditions for Employment Contract
It’s not enough to have an employment contract, however. Before anything else, the job contract must meet the following qualifications or conditions:
- SANAD Contract (for skilled/professional workers, company contract is accepted if provisions are higher than the standards prescribed by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration or POEA);
- Minimum monthly basic salary of OMR 160 for HSW;
- Minimum basic salary must be more than OMR 160 for skilled/professional workers, or the prevailing industry rate; and
- Food, accommodation, and transportation must be provided free or in the form of a monthly allowance (minimum for food OMR 30, accommodation OMR 80, and transportation OMR 20).
Procedure
In the past, people were required to set an appointment online before going to the MWO office in Oman. These days, however, they can go to the MWO without having to set an appointment online.
Here a step-by-step guide to having your employment contract verified at the MWO office in Oman:
- Go directly to the MWO office in Muscat, Oman. Don’t forget to bring all the necessary documents.
- Submit all the required documents for evaluation.
- Pay the OMR 4 verification fee.
- If your OWWA membership has expired and needs to be renewed, pay the OMR 10 OWWA membership fee.
- Wait for your contract to be reviewed and authenticated. That’s it!
Video: Employment Contract Verification Process
To have a better idea of the employment contract verification process, check out this video shared by OWWA Member YouTube channel:
Job Order Verification Requirements
Aside from employment contract verification, job order verification is just as important. On the part of the employer, sponsor, or recruitment agency — the following requirements must be prepared:
- Letter to the Labor Attache;
- Job Order/Demand Letter (this document must indicate food, accommodation, and transportation provisions);
- Special Power of Attorney;
- Recruitment Agreement;
- Commercial Registration (with English translation);
- Manpower License (with English translation);
- Municipal License (with English translation);
- ID of Sponsor;
- POEA License of Philippine Recruitment Agency (PRA) and Passport Copy;
- Employment Contract Sample (with Addendum for HSWs);
- Joint Affidavit;
- Contingency Plan;
- Affidavit of Undertaking;
List of 100 HSWs Deployed (Deployment Report from POEA if applying for second Philippine Recruitment Agency); - Interview with the Labor Attache;
- Tenancy Agreement of FRA;
- Certificate of Suitable Accommodation with Picture; and
- Commitment Letter of Principal or Sponsor.
Similar to the employment contract, job orders are checked and verified through the MWO office in Muscat, Oman.
Contact Information: MWO Oman
For Filipino workers in the Sultanate, if you have any questions or concerns regarding employment contract verification and other matters, you can get in touch with MWO Oman through the following contact details. Its Google Map location is also provided, for your reference:
Address: Building 4063, Way 3050, Shatti Al Qurum, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
Telephone: +968 93557931 / +96824605171
Email: mwo_oman@dmw.gov.ph / polomuscat@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/POLOmuscat
Google Map Location:
Final Thoughts
Employment contract verification is an essential part of being a Filipino worker abroad. Aside from making sure that it follows the labor laws and standards of the Philippines and the host country, it ultimately protects the rights, welfare, and well-being of OFWs. Here in Oman, the Migrant Workers Office (MWO), as the operating arm of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), is responsible for verifying the employment contracts of OFWs.
In addition to getting your employment contract verified, keeping your passport valid or active is also important! If your passport is about to expire, check out this article about how to renew your Philippine passport in Muscat, Oman.