In preparation for the World Conference of OFWs, the Philippine Migrants Rights Watch, with the support of Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, organized four roundtable discussions (RTDs) with representatives of foreign missions from receiving countries. The participating countries included Italy ; Norway and Switzerland , Australia , Canada and United States of America ; Taiwan ; Lebanon and Qatar . The RTDs touched on the theme of “The OFWs' Migration Process: Detecting Problems and Identifying Solutions.” The RTDs discussed documentation requirements, visa application processes, migration policies and unauthorized migration and trafficking.

Following are highlights of the RTDs:

Problem with falsified documents

All RTD participants stated that they receive quite a number of falsified documents. Almost all representatives said that they receive dubious looking passports and supporting documents, such as birth and marriage certificates.

Some applicants provide falsified documents to establish a family relationship in order to qualify for family reunification (this is especially true of tampered birth certificates); others misrepresent themselves to secure a working visa. Some medical certificates submitted to the embassies are also questionable.

Everyone mentioned the difficulty of verifying the Philippine passport. Foreign missions typically encounter problems in verifying the birth certificate. The difficulty of verifying documents is the common reason for the delay in the release of visas.

Several recommendations were put forward:

1. The Philippines must work towards establishing an effective and reliable system of birth registration. A system that will provide for immediate registration of births will minimize documentation problems.
2. Improving the passport system and better control measures to control the widespread forgery of documents needs to be set in place.
3. Visa applicants must submit genuine documents to hasten the application process. In addition, visa applicants must also be aware of other pre-departure requirements. The basic documents needed are similar to the requirements of the Philippine government, such as the NBI and police clearance. Some countries require basic knowledge of their language; most countries require a good command of the English language. Some jobs have an age requirement.

Visa Requirements

For those applying for medical-related employment, applicants must meet the educational requirement from an accredited institution and they must pass all the requisite examinations. They must also consider that some embassies accept applicants from accredited schools only.

Working visa applicants must be aware that some embassies accept those with employment sponsorships coming from the receiving countries only before they apply. They must also give importance to the interviews that almost all embassies give as part of their visa process. They must also not take medical results lightly and must remember to get it from accredited medical facilities.

Recruitment Agencies or Immigration Consultants

Some visa applicants go to recruitment agencies in the belief that their papers will be processed faster. Not all embassies recognize recruitment agencies or immigration consultants. In fact, most embassies prefer to deal with the applicants personally. For those who prefer to seek the help of agencies, the embassies accept applicants from accredited agencies only. This policy is intended to protect applicants from illegal consultants or recruitment agencies.

Pre-Departure Orientation Seminars

Some embassies acknowledged that the pre-departure orientation seminars (PDOS) or counseling programs are important in helping migrants prepare for what to expect in the country of destination. It was suggested that the PDOS be extended to at least two days from the current half-day seminar.

Unauthorized Migration

Unauthorized migration from the Philippines was a common concern of the receiving countries. Most embassies expressed their concern for overstayers. According to them, migrants commonly enter their countries on a tourist visa, after which they overstay and work (thereby violating the terms of their visas). They recognized that unauthorized migrants are subject to abuse by their employers and constantly face the threat of deportation, fines and other penalties.

Some countries have implemented repatriation programs; others are discussing the merits of such programs. Some countries accept Filipino workers who do not have a working permit issued by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration. This system renders the migrant worker unauthorized in the Philippines but not in the receiving country. It was suggested that the Philippine government press for the issuance of the visas here to better protect its nationals.

Status/Conditions of Filipinos in Foreign Countries

Filipinos are regarded as hardworking and are considered as the top in the work force. They adapt well in their new environment. They are well integrated and highly organized. Others are active member of their communities while there are those who keep a low profile. In general, they live harmoniously with other communities and the foreign ministries recognize their contributions to their adoptive countries.

The representatives of the foreign missions acknowledged that overseas employment has helped not only the families of migrant workers but the country as a whole. They suggest, however, that future applicants go through the legal channels of migration to prevent probable dangers and hardships. They emphasized the importance of access to correct information about migration so that potential migrants can make informed choices.

The embassies have websites that people can visit to access all the information on proper visa procedures and requirements. Some embassies have call centers which can provide additional information and there are also organizations that can assist. The information is available and it is up to the Filipino migrant to access this information and use to protect themselves from abuse and other vulnerabilities.