The Post Arrival Orientation Seminar (PAOS) is an orientation seminar conducted by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) for all Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who have just arrived in their work country.
The International Labor Affairs Bureau, DMW, and the DOLE are collaborating to develop a country-specific online version of the PAOS as an additional platform to assist the program’s on-site implementation.
The PAOS is designed to help OFWs be aware of their rights and responsibilities as well as equip them with the necessary information when working abroad in the country where they are based. The seminar covers topics such as labor rights, cultural orientation, health and safety tips, financial management skills, legal assistance, and more. It is also a venue for the OFWs to meet with other new arrivals and exchange experiences.
The PAOS aims to provide a secure transition for the OFWs after their arrival in their work country. The seminars are usually conducted by DMW representatives or Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) accredited recruitment agencies. Seminars typically include lectures, discussions, interactive exercises and group activities on how to adjust to living and working abroad.
Contents
What is PAOS?
A follow-up to the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS), the Post-Arrival Orientation Seminar (PAOS) is an orientation program provided to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) upon their arrival in the host country. Keep reading the article to know more about PAOS.
Purpose
The PAOS aims to educate OFWs on their working and living conditions, their rights and obligations, as well as the programs and services offered locally by the Philippine government. It also aims to teach OFWs to appreciate cultural diversity and deal with cultural differences.
Objectives
The PAOS aims to provide Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) with:
- Information that is relevant to the traditions, culture, and practices of their new workplace.
- Information about the OFW programs and services offered by the Philippine government.
- Information about their obligations and rights, as well as the legal options they have if their rights turn out to have been violated.
- Strategies to help them relate to and fit into their new workplace.
The employer, the overseas Filipino worker (OFW), and a representative from a foreign recruitment agency (FRA), POLO, or the Philippine Embassy must all be present for PAOS to take place. The Employer and the Worker must be acquainted before the agreement is made. If the employer, OFW, and a representative from the Foreign Recruitment Agency (FRA), POLO, or Philippine Embassy are present, PAOS can be performed in the airport or POLO office.
Topics Covered
Some of the topics covered include the following:
- Overview of the Country & Culture
- Labor Laws and Rules
- Balik Manggagawa
- Financial Literacy
- OWWA Services
- Pag-IBIG Services
- SSS Services
Requirements
The following are the requirements need in PAOS:
- Passport
- Valid IDs
- Other needed documents
Post- Arrival Seminar
The DOLE has recommended a content structure in accordance with Administrative Order No. 532 that contains all the important information about the traditions, customs, and culture of the OFW’s host country.
The following qualities are what the PAOS’s content structure seeks to give OFWs:
- Important details about the customs, traditions, and culture of their host country in their new workplace.
- Strategies for relating to and adjusting to their new environment.
- Information that is important to employees’ rights and obligations, as well as the services they can access if their rights are being violated or disregarded.
- Information on the Philippine government’s services and programs for OFWs.
- The political and regulatory framework governing labor and immigration, employment contracts, the role(s) of the Philippine government, emergency services offered, health and safety benefits, training programs, social support system services, and Filipino community initiatives.
In addition, the Administrative Order requires the POEA to advocate for international recruitment organizations and employers to let OFWs, particularly domestic workers, to attend these seminars.
To validate their identity, employers must provide their IDs and passports to OFWs. The number of family members, address, and phone number of the employer, as well as the agreed-upon monthly wage and rest hours or days off, must all be verified by the OFW after reviewing the contract. The employer and OFW can now sign after making sure all the information is accurate.
Video: Ito na ba ang sagot sa Problema ng mga OFW? PAOS Post Arrival Orientation Seminar
Watch Inday Uday’s YouTube video on PAOS for more details. The YouTuber talked about what PAOS is, what you’ll learn at the seminar, and the responsibilities of both employees and employers.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any further questions regarding the “Post-Arrival Orientation Seminars (PAOS)” see the list of frequently asked questions and answers below.
1. What is the Post-Arrival Orientation Seminar (PAOS)?
The Post-Arrival Orientation Seminar (PAOS), which comes as a follow-up to the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS), is an orientation session offered to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) upon their arrival in the host country.
2. What is the purpose of PAOS?
The PAOS seeks to inform OFWs on the policies and services provided locally by the Philippine government, as well as their rights and responsibilities, working and living conditions, and other relevant information. Additionally, it seeks to teach OFWs how to respect and accept cultural diversity.
3. When and where will PAOS happen?
As long as the worker, employer, and representatives from the Philippine Embassy, POLO, or Foreign Recruitment Agency (FRA) are present, PAOS can be completed at the POLO office or when you arrive at the airport. PAOS may also be carried out on newly employed OFWS no later than one month following their first day of employment.
4. Is it required to attend PAOS?
YES. The Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PAOS), which is required by the DOLE and POEA, educates newly hired OFWs on the culture, lifestyles, legal system, economy, and working conditions of the country they will be staying in.
Summary
According to the directive from Labour Secretary Silvestre Bello Ill, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) have decided to offer post-arrival orientation seminars (PAOS) to newly arrived overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in each of their host countries no later than one month after they have arrived for work.
The PAOS will act as a guide for recently arrived OFWs to learn about their host country’s culture, profile, education, laws, economy, and working environment as a follow-up to the Pre-departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS).