No one should have to borrow money to get a job. Yet many migrants do. The Employer Pays Principle fixes that. The boss covers the hiring costs, and the worker pays nothing. If you plan to hire OFWs, this rule is the heart of ethical recruitment.
What the Rule Says
Here is the idea in plain terms. The IHRB, a human rights group, says no worker should pay for a job. The UN’s labor agency goes further. ILO guidance says workers should not pay any hiring fees or related costs, in whole or in part.
Why It Matters
The stakes are big. Government data show about 2.19 million overseas Filipino workers in 2024. A World Bank slide deck shows the cost of fees. Say a poor worker pays $4,000. Ending that fee would put $4 billion back in workers’ hands for every 1 million migrants.
What Philippine Rules Say
The Philippines backs the rule. Officials have banned placement fees for domestic workers, caregivers, and seafarers. In 2013, Hans Cacdac, then head of the POEA (the DMW’s predecessor), said agencies may charge a fee, but the foreign employer must pay it. He called a breach a grave offense that can cost an agency its license.
How to Pick an Ethical Recruitment Partner
Look for people who live by these rules. A good recruitment partner in the Philippines has a valid license and lists every cost in writing. Ask about IRIS certification, a UN migration agency program that uses outside audits. Lara White, a labor expert at that agency, has also urged firms to adopt an employer pays model.
EDI-Staffbuilders International, Inc., a DMW-accredited agency with over 45 years of experience, puts ethical recruitment into practice. We help Filipino job seekers connect with legitimate overseas employment opportunities while guiding employers through a lawful and responsible hiring process. Our commitment to decent work helps protect workers and build trust at every stage of recruitment.
Looking for a trusted overseas recruitment partner? Browse our website to learn how our team can support your overseas hiring needs.
