PHILIPPINE EMBASSY , ITALY WARNS PROSPECTIVE OFWs ON WORK VISA REQUIREMENTS  

16 February 2007 – Philippine Ambassador to Italy Philippe J. Lhuillier warns Filipinos who wish to work in Italy that they should comply with the requirements not only of the Italian government for the issuance of a work visa but also of Philippine government agencies to ensure they will be allowed to leave the country.  

Ambassador Lhuillier issued this warning amid reports that some OFWs who have been issued with work visas by the Italian Embassy in Manila were nevertheless not allowed to leave the Philippines because of their failure to comply with Philippine requirements.  

The Philippine government requires that the prospective Italian employer of an OFW should accomplish the following documents and personally submit them to the Labor Office of the Philippine Embassy for verification and processing:  

1.     A "Deed of Undertaking" (or Atto di Sottoscrizione) indicating the terms and conditions of employment;

2.     Supporting documents which include:  

     a.   the original copy of the Nulla Osta (to be presented only as reference);

     b.   three photocopies of the Nulla Osta;

     c.   three photocopies of any document issued by the Italian government showing the name, picture and signature of the employer (such as his/her Carta d'Identita, passport or driver's license);

      d.   three photocopies of the passport of the Filipino worker to be hired.

In the event that the employer is unable to personally come to the Embassy, he may send a representative provided that said representative can present the following:  

1.     An “Authorization” (or   Autorizzazione) from the employer empowering the representative to act on his behalf; and  

2.     Three photocopies of any valid document of the employer's representative.  

Once these requirements are complied with, the concerned OFW will be issued an Overseas Employment Certificate (or OEC/E-receipt). Failure to show an OEC/E-receipt at the airport immigration counter will result in the denial of one's departure from the Philippines .  

Considering the importance of these requirements, Ambassador Lhuillier hopes that OFWs follow these rules to ensure that they may depart the Philippines for Italy .  END

/jay

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