The Department of Labor and Employment has ordered the suspension of acceptance and processing of all new applications for overseas employment certificates (OEC) for all overseas Filipino workers, including direct hires.

Excluded from the coverage of the suspension are workers hired by international organizations and members of diplomatic corps and royal families, seafarers hired by manning agencies, returning workers or balik-manggagawa, and government-hired workers. The suspension takes effect from November 13 to December 1, 2017.

• DOLE Department Order No. 185, s2017
• MC No. 10, s2017 – POEA Guidelines on the Suspension and Acceptance and Processing of New OECs