How to Verify Employment Contract in Geneva, Switzerland

The POEA requires that the employment contract be verified before issuing an OEC to an OFW. To ensure that Filipino migrant workers’ employment rights, benefits, and welfare are appropriately protected and respected at the worksite/place of employment, the Labor Attaché uses a contract verification method. The OFWs’ work contracts must comply with the most recent employment laws, regulations, and practices in both the Philippines and the host country.

Filipinos who are based in Geneva, Switzerland, and need to verify their employment contracts can process this at Philippine Overseas Labor Office, Philippine Mission to the United Nations, 14 Allee David-Morse, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland.

When visiting the POLO Geneva, Switzerland, it is advised to wear a facemask and maintain a social distance. In this article, you’ll learn about the procedures, requirements, and guidelines for acquiring an Employment Contract Verification in Geneva, Switzerland.

Qualifications

• Filipino workers that have changed jobs onsite and are registered with POEA.
• Filipinos working in Geneva, Switzerland without a POEA record.
• Filipino nationals who have been authorized for an employment visa by the Immigration Department.
• Change of employer and/or name of employer for the first time in Geneva, Switzerland (for example, from a tourist or from another nation).
• Others on a fixed-term contract (this needs contract verified every renewal).

Note: OFWs who have already had their contracts verified with their present employer do not need to have their renewal contracts verified again. They can just show their old verified contract and their renewed contract when applying for BM, as long as the Employer remains the same.

Requirements

Each document should be submitted in two (2) copies: an original and a duplicate or photocopy.

• Recruitment Agreement between Principal and Philippine Recruitment Agency (PRA)
• Special Power of Attorney
• Job Order directed to PRA stating number of positions needed and average wage per position
• Master Employment Contract (Signed on all pages by the Employer / Direct Employer and the FRA)
• Valid POEA License of Philippine Recruitment Agency (PRA)
• Valid identification of PRA representative of Principal/Employer
• Business License or Commercial Registration (A notarized English translation must be provided if the document is not in English)
• Valid identification of Employer/ FRA and Direct Employer authorized signatory (If Authorized Signatory, Provide Authority by Company/Board)
• Sworn Undertaking
• Contingency Plan
• Location and pictures of the accommodation and its facilities
• Photocopy of worker’s passport that is valid for travel for at least six (6) months
• Photocopy of worker’s valid Work Visa
• Worker’s recent pay slip
• Contract Verification fee of CHF 30.00

Additional Employment Contract Verification Requirements for New Principal/Employer

• Employer Profile (Stating Business Activities, Number of years in operation, and Labor force volume)

Additional Employment Contract Verification Requirements for Foreign Recruitment Agency (FRA)

• Manpower Request (Direct Employer/s to FRA stating the number of positions needed and the average wage per position)
• Service Agreement (Direct Employer and FRA)
• License from the Host Country to Operate as an Employment Agency

Note: Requirements are subject to change without prior notice; for questions and clarification, contact the POLO office in Geneva, Switzerland.

How to Process Employment Contract Verification in POLO-Geneva, Switzerland

Check out the procedure below on how to book an appointment and how to process employment contract verification in Geneva.

Step 1: Gather all of the necessary requirements.

Step 2: Combine all of the documents into one PDF file and send it to polo_geneva@dole.gov.ph for review and checking.

Step 3: Wait for the evaluation to be completed before sending the original and one (1) photocopy of each document needed for the employment contract verification to:

Philippine Overseas Labor Office, Philippine Mission to the United Nations, 14 Allee David-Morse, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland

Step 4: Transfer your verification fee payment to:

Name: POLO UBS

IBAN: CH16 0027 9279 1680 8403B

BIC: UBSWCHZH80A

Step 5: Incomplete documents will be returned, along with the fees. POLO staff will call or email you for more information.

Step 6: You will receive an e-mail notification once your documents have been verified by POLO and are ready for pick-up.

Please take note that employment contracts must comply with the POEA Standard Employment Contract’s minimum requirements. For certain types of work, additional provisions in the contract can be needed.

Important Reminders

• Make sure that the employment contract is dated and signed on all pages by both the employee and the employer.
• All documentation should be submitted in two (2) sets or copies; original and duplicate or photocopy.
• Incomplete document submissions, payments, or other deficiencies, such as missing signatures, will not be accepted.
• All applicants must bring their own pens.
• All applicants are encouraged to arrive at the POLO Geneva, Switzerland office well-dressed. Shorts, transparent clothing, or slippers are not permitted.
• To avoid delays, employers should closely comply with all requirements.
• Feel free to call +41 22 716-3258 local 258, Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm (Closed on Switzerland and Philippines public holidays).

Note to Those Workers Hired via 3rd-Party Country

There are Filipinos who have found jobs in Switzerland or in nearby regions via 3rd-party country. These are Filipinos who did NOT apply direct from the Philippines via POEA/DMW agency. Please be advised that you still need to verify your employment contracts and secure an OEC. The reason is you will not be able to go back to Switzerland if you don’t have a POLO-verified employment contract.

According to a post from the POLO-Geneva FB Page, Filipinos who get employed via third country do not have an employment contract. Usually these Filipino workers hold a “Contract of Mandate” and in some instances, these Filipinos are on a “no-work,no-pay” basis.

You will be provided with an OEC once your foreign employers will agree to change the employment contract so that mandatory rights and provisions for your welfare are added. Some of these provisions should involve a minimum wage amount, overtime pay entitlement, sick leave benefits, health insurance, vacation leaves, free food and accommodation, security of work, and a repatriation clause.

These are for your rights and it is important to have the contract verified so the POLO team can assist you and you will also have your rights protected.

Please be advised of this important note.

Here’s the POLO-Geneva post on this topic:

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any further questions regarding “How to Verify Employment Contract in Geneva, Switzerland”, see the list of frequently asked questions and answers below.

1. What is Employment Contract Verification?

Employment Contract Verification verifies that the OFW has a job and an employer, and that the contract conditions match the POEA and host government’s minimum requirements.

2. Is it possible to get OEC without a verified contract?

A verified employment contract is the most important requirement for the issue of an OEC. Only the POLO or the POEA can provide verification services.

3.    Can I skip getting employment contract verification?

No, you can’t skip getting your employment contract verification because it’s one of the first steps in getting your OEC.

4. Can I go to the POLO Geneva, Switzerland office directly to verify my employment contract?

No, you cannot go straight to the POLO Geneva, Switzerland. Prior to visiting, the POLO Geneva, Switzerland requires an appointment. However, it is suggested that the employment contract be processed via mail.

5. What is the POLO Geneva, Switzerland’s office hour?

The POLO office in Geneva, Switzerland is open from Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm (Closed on Switzerland and Philippines public holidays).

6. What is POLO Geneva, Switzerland’s address?

POLO Geneva, Switzerland’s address is Philippine Overseas Labor Office, Philippine Mission to the United Nations, 14 Allee David-Morse, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland.

7. What is the POLO Geneva, Switzerland’s hotline number?

You can reach the POLO Geneva, Switzerland office at +41 22 716-3258 local 258. You can also send a message to Philippine Overseas Labor Office – Geneva via messenger.

Philippine Overseas Labor Office – Geneva Facebook Link:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068858934207

8. What is the email address of POLO Geneva, Switzerland?

The email address of POLO Geneva, Switzerland is polo_geneva@dole.gov.ph.

9. How much does it cost to process employment contract verification?

The processing fee for employment contract verification is CHF 30.00.

Summary

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) requires POLO contract verification in order to register a recruited or employed Filipino worker and process the Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC).

Authorities in Geneva, Switzerland are on high alert for illegal immigrants, so make sure your contract is verified. You’ll have access to all of POLO’s benefits and services, as well as those given by POLO’s Geneva, Switzerland-based partners, once you’ve verified your contract.

Only workers whose employment contracts haven’t already been verified by the Administration will have their employment contracts verified by POLO Geneva, Switzerland.

Contact Information

POLO-Geneva Switzerland
Address: All. David-Morse 14, 1202 Genève, Switzerland
Telephone Number: +41 22 716 32 58
Email: polo_geneva@dole.gov.ph
Website: https://genevapm.dfa.gov.ph/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068858934207

Google Map Location

Please see the location map of the POLO office in Geneva – Switzerland: