Steps for post-Covid homecoming explained to OFWs in Caribbean

The program details the steps needed before overseas workers can go back home to the Philippines after almost two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. CONTRIBUTED

WASHINGTON, D.C. –  Filipino workers in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) a virtual forum last Feb. 19, on the verification of employment documents for returning home using the new POEA online Processing System for Balik-Manggagawa (POPSBaM).

The program details the steps needed before overseas workers can go back home to the Philippines after almost two years of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO-WDC) hosted the virtual forum with the assistance of the Filipino Association of British Virgin Islands.

The OFW participants are currently employed in the different sectors and industries in the BVI.

Third Secretary and Vice Consul Mark Lim, head of the Public Diplomacy Section of the Embassy, stressed the importance of going through the regular pathway in the deployment and recruitment of workers from the Philippines.

POEA ICT Chief George Parlan extensively discussed the registration procedure as well as the issues and concerns with the new POPS-BaM.

POLO-WDC point person for verification Oliver Flores presented the different requirements and procedures for the verification of employment contracts for each category of professional/skilled and domestic workers.

The webinar is the first of a series of island-specific online forums spearheaded by POLO-WDC on the needs, issues and concerns of migrant workers in the different Caribbean Islands.

The webinar was also in preparation for the upcoming consular mission of the Philippine Embassy on March 26-27, 2022.