In the midst of the pandemic, there are additional requirements for passengers such as the RT-PCR test. But when you are on an employment visa, who should be the one to shoulder the expenses for the RT-PCR test?
According to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, the ones who should shoulder the additional quarantine protocol expenses for Overseas Filipino Workers must be the recruitment agencies.
Recently, the Taiwanese government has lifted the ban on the entry of migrant workers. Meanwhile, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) will soon be releasing guidelines over the deployment of OFWs to Taiwan as the country recently opened its doors to migrant works once again since February 15.
“Dapat ‘yung agency kasi kumikita naman sila. Sagutin nila RT-PCR at quarantine ng mga worker,” says the Labor chief pertaining to who should shoulder the required quarantine expenses.
In Taiwan, their government requires a total of 14 days quarantine period and another 7 days for self-management before the expat can go to their workplace. Another safety measure that the country requires is RT-PCR testing as well as one-person one-room isolation before expats can enter the country. More importantly, you must be fully vaccinated before you can enter Taiwan.
Meanwhile, the Philippine government is in talks with Taiwan regarding the WHO-accredited booster shots to be allowed to enter the country.
“Our MECO (Manila Economic Cultural Office) is already talking with the concerned ministry in Taiwan,” Bello said. “I think hindi tayo mahihirapan diyan. Kailangan nila ang ating workers.”
There are 35,000 OFWs waiting for job openings in Taiwan. There are 11,000 new hires and 24,000 replacements. Currently, there are 160,000 Filipinos employed in Taiwan.
Source GMA News
