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‘We cross-check documents’ – Labor Attaché Bay on fake OECs

DUBAI: Government-issued documents like clearances and overseas employment certificates (OECs) from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration bear control numbers that can be cross-checked for verification and once what you’re holding doesn’t match, it’s the end of the road for you.

This, from Atty. Felicitas Bay, labor attaché and head of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) at the Philippine Consulate in Dubai who warned overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) against fixers who give authentic-looking papers like OECs, even employment contracts for fees.

Labor Attache Felicitas Bay
Labor Attache Felicitas Bay

“Meron tayong check and balance,” Bay told The Filipino Times in an interview today. “Ikaw ang may hawak, saan mo kinuha iyan?”

Bay’s remarks came on the heels of the arrest of 17 OFWs at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) bound to Dubai and destinations in Saudi Arabia as well as Thailand during the Holy Week. All were found with questionable documents and subjected to further check which confirmed suspicions.

Related Story: 17 OFWs bound for Dubai, Saudi intercepted at NAIA for fake OECs

“Everything now is computerized,” said Bay.

She shared an incident whereby POEA staff at NAIA got in touch with POLO Dubai after coming across an employment contract whose authenticity looked doubtful.

“Tinanong kami ng POEA sa airport kung kami ang nag-isyu ng serial number ng contract. It turned out hindi sa amin galing,” she said.

She hinted that bearers of fake OECs may have knowledge that what they have are bogus documents. “Ang nakaka-alam nyan ay yung tao mismo, kung saan nya kinuha iyon.”

OECs are issued to the bearer directly by POEA. This goes true with all other documents, hence, officials said, if an OFW got his or hers from a third person, chances are it’s fake.

Staff Report

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