Procedure for Filipino Maid returning to Philippines for Vacation

This is a repeated question being asked in forums and I have even received some enquiries on the procedure. So, I thought it will be good if I write something about it so that Employer will have some idea what to get done when their maid wants to return back to Philippines for a vacation.

Below is the information as published in their website:-

Filipino workers abroad who are leaving for Philippines for a vacation and are returning to the same employer can be issued an Overseas Employment Certificate or OEC. The OEC holder shall be exempted from the payment of the Philippine travel tax amounting to P1,600.00 and the Airport Terminal Fee of P550.00.

OEC applicants must accomplish an OFW Information Sheet, and present the following:

• Passport with a valid Work Permit
• Valid Employment Contract verified by the POLO-KL / Stamp Registered by POEA
• Proof of OWWA membership and Philhealth coverage,
• Payment of RM10.00 for OEC and RM100.00 for OWWA

*The OEC is valid for sixty (60) days from the date of issue or until the expiration of the work permit, whichever comes first.

Valid Employement Contract

If your maid's 2 years contract has expired. You can download the form from the embassy's website http://www.philembassykl.org.my/main/index.php/labor-services/forms (the one for the household service worker) and fill in the form yourself. You do not need an agent to do this and leave the agents' names/companies blank in the contract form. Then you will need to find a company with the notary public service as listed in http://www.agc.gov.my/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=59&Itemid=94&lang=en. Call in the office which is convenient to you to make appointment for the service instead of walk-in as most of the time, the lawyer in charge is not in or in court. The Employer and the maid will have to present in front of the lawyer to sign the contract and then the lawyer will place his notary public stamp on it. This could cost from RM100-200 depends on the fee scale of that particular firm.

OWWA

This is the insurance for the maid which includes (a) livelihood loan assistance; (b) insurance coverage; (c) burial assistance; (d) skills training and refresher courses; (e) scholarship program; and, (f) other benefits for the OFW and members of his family from the Philippines embassy. The insurance is valid for 2 years and can be purchased on the spot from the embassy.This costs RM90.

OEC

You can download the form from the above link and fill in prior to your visit to the embassy. If you just need the OEC, it will only cost you RM10. However, if your maid is returning home for more than 60 days, she will have to  apply for the OEC back in the Philippines as the OEC is only valid for 60 days. Then, you will have to verify the contract with the embassy and it costs RM RM38.50.

Employer doesn not need to accompany the maid to apply for the OEC. Do bear in mind that if your maid is going back during the xmas season, you need to go early in the morning to the embassy, the queue could be quite long and sometimes, you have to wait till after lunch. In normal day, it could be done maybe within half an hour time.

Good luck with your maid-less weeks or months!