Facilitation of Single Entry Approach (SEnA) for OFWs

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is a national government organization tasked with creating and executing welfare programs and services to meet the needs of its members, who are overseas workers and their families.

Also Read: How to Apply OWWA e-Card for OFWs

OWWA supports OFWs and their dependents by providing scholarships, insurance, and educational opportunities. Single Entry Approach (SEnA), which facilitates OFWs, is one of the services provided by OWWA.

What is Single Entry Approach (SEnA)?

It is an administrative approach to provide a quick, unbiased, low-cost, and accessible resolution procedure for all issues/complaints coming from employer-employee relationships in order to prevent them from escalating into full-fledged disputes. Under this approach, all labor and employment issues must go through a statutory 30-day conciliation-mediation procedure to reach an agreement between the parties.

Who are Qualified for Single Entry Approach (SEnA)?

OFW Members who have been repatriated and their qualified dependents are eligible to submit a request for assistance.

What are the Single Entry Approach (SEnA) Benefits?

SEnA’s benefits include that it is a reform initiative that has been institutionalized to achieve a faster, fairer, and less expensive resolution of labor disputes. They are prevented from growing into legitimate labor cases that will be elevated and resolved through the regular adjudication procedure by the system. SEnA will make it easier for companies to voluntarily comply with labor laws and norms.

What are the Single Entry Approach (SEnA) Requirements?

• Any valid I.D. (You can secure it in DFA)
• Copy of Certificate of Employment abroad or any documentary proof (You can secure it in POEA)
• Copy of Passport (including the pages with arrival and departure stamps) (You can secure it in DFA)
• POLO Case Study Report or Referral (You can get it in OWWA POLO)
• Assistance Form (R.A. Form) (You can get it in OWWA-LEGAL)

How to Apply for Single Entry Approach (SEnA)

Step 1: Go to the nearest OWWA Regional Office or POLO Office.

Step 2: Ask the guard where you can get a request for assistance form.

Step 3: The assigned personnel will conduct an interview regarding to your request.

Step 4: The POLO/OWWA will inform PRA for your scheduled conference when they interview you.

Step 5: Within 30 days, the POLO/OWWA will schedule a conference.

Step 6: After the scheduled conference within 30 days they will give settlement or referral to NLRC&POEA.

What issues are covered by Single Entry Approach (SEnA)?

All issues relating to labor and employment, including but not limited to:

• Claims for any sum of money, regardless of amount;
• Closures, retrenchments, redundancies, temporary lay-offs;
• Intra-union and inter-union issues except petition for certification election, after exhaustion of administrative remedies;
• Issues arising from other labor and related issuances (OLRI)
• Occupational safety and health standards issues except those involving imminent danger situation;
• OFW cases;
• Termination or suspension of employment issues;
• Unfair labor practices; and
• Any other claims arising from employer-employee relationship (With the exception of workplace safety and health regulations, which involve an immediate danger situation, dangerous occurrences/or disabling injury/lack of personal protective equipment).

What issues does Single Entry Approach (SEnA) not address?

SEnA does not cover the following issues:

Issues emerging from the interpretation or application of the collective bargaining agreement, as well as issues resulting from the interpretation or application of corporate personnel policy, should be handled through the Grievance Machinery and voluntary arbitration.

Strike or lockout notices, as well as preventive mediation cases, must be filed with the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB).

Violations of the following permits, licenses, or registrations: (Alien Employment Permit (AEP), PRPA authority or license, Working Child Permit (WCP) and violations of Republic Act No.9231 (Anti-Child Labor Law), Registration under Department Order No. 18-02, POEA issued licenses under the Migrant Workers’ Act, as amended, Professional license issued by the PRC, TESDA accreditations; and Other similar permits, licenses, or registrations issued by the DOLE or its attached agencies.

Important Reminders

• A request for assistance (RFA) can be filed by any aggrieved worker, union, group of workers, or employer in the OWWA or POLO regional offices where the employer primarily operates.
• The SEnA establishes a 30-day conciliation-mediation process. Settlement agreements are final and effective right away. It applies to all DOLE offices and affiliated agencies until they are determined to be in violation of the law, morals, public order, or public policy.
• When: 1) no settlement is established within the 30-day timeframe, or 2) either party is found not following with the provisions of the agreement made, the parties may choose to elevate the RFA to the proper Department offices or Voluntary Arbitration.

Video: SEnA Guide

You may learn more about the Single Entry Approach (SEnA) for OFWs by watching the DOLE Mimaropa’s YouTube video NCMB SENA.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common FAQs about the SEnA program from OWWA:

1. What is Single Entry Approach (SEnA)?

SEnA is an administrative approach to provide a quick, unbiased, low-cost, and accessible resolution procedure for all issues/complaints coming from employer-employee relationships in order to prevent them from escalating into full-fledged disputes.

2. Who are qualified in Single Entry Approach (SEnA)?

OFW Members who have been repatriated and their qualified dependents are eligible to submit a request for assistance.

3. Where can I file or make a request for a SEnA?

SEnA requests can be made at the Single Entry Assistance Desk (SEAD) in the employer’s primary operating region. The request must be made at the regional/provincial/district office where the union or local chapter is registered if it is a union or federation representing a local chapter.

Summary

As an OFW it is important to know Single Entry Approach (SEnA). SEnA is an administrative approach that will provide you a quick, unbiased, low-cost, and accessible resolution procedure for all of your issues/complaints coming from your employer-employee relationships.

Under this approach, all labor and employment issues must go through a statutory 30-day conciliation-mediation procedure to reach an agreement between the parties.

President Benigno S. Aquino III signed Republic Act No. 10396, which established SEnA in our labor dispute adjudication system, into law on March 14, 2013. SEnA is also expected to make it easier for businesses to comply with labor laws and standards on a voluntary basis.