Close Monitoring and Assistance to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and Seafarers Affected by the Corona Virus Diseases (COVID-19)

March 26, 2020POEA MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 008-20TO :All Philippine Licensed Recruitment Agencies and Manning Agencies   SUBJECT  :Close Monitoring and Assistance to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and Seafarers Affected by the Corona Virus Diseases (COVID-19) In view of the rapid spread of the corona virus disease affecting Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) across the globe, and pursuant to POEA Memorandum Circular No. 12, Series of 2018 and Memorandum Circular No. 09, Series of 2019, all Philippine recruitment agencies (PRAs) and licensed manning agencies (LMAs) are hereby required to closely monitor and report the status and condition of your deployed Filipino workers and to coordinate with the concerned Philippine Overseas Labor Office in extending the needed assistance to the affected workers. Likewise, all PRAs and LMAs are directed to provide assistance to newly-hired OFWs and joining crew whose flight schedules were cancelled or crew change was deferred by their respective employers/principals, and have been stranded in Metro Manila, due to the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon. The assistance should not be limited to temporary accommodation,...