The nightmare isn't over. Though we were told last week by Malaysian Immigration that we needed POEA clearance for them to give our maid a significant extension, my wife and I decided to take our chances and proceed to the Philippine embassy to appeal (beg) for consideration. The fates smiled as the labor attache agreed to give us clearance.
The End. I wish.
The End. I wish.
There was a prerequisite (of course!). We needed to obtain "approval" from the Immigration office before we would be given the clearance. What pray tell may that be?
"Alam na nila 'yon." B-b-but... if you say so.
So back to Putrajaya we went, to secure an approval of which we had no idea of. Once we presented our requirements to the handling officer, she was adamant, saying that approval (whatever that is) is only given after the POEA clearance is issued.
"Your embassy is so confusing," the officer said. "This is not the first time this has happened. First they say that the clearance has to be issued first, and now they need approval before clearance." She went on about how several other requirements in the past would change without notice, and that they had to call the Philippine Labor office frequently for clarification. It goes without saying that we all were pretty peeved. I for one did not want to go back to the Philippine embassy for another round of guess what's next.
We were told to have a seat while they discussed the matter internally, and thankfully the assistant director (or at least that's what I think her position is; she's got three stars on her shoulder lapel) spoke to us and said that we could submit the requirements we had by tomorrow. No guarantees were given, but at least she put in the effort to try and iron things out. How we wish that it was her we could talk to each time we were there.
So I went back to KL to get my employment letter (explaining to my bosses what the heck was going on so that they don't think I'm blowing work off) and my payslip. I had the POEA clearance and the personal bond (each country has it's own designated amount) duty stamped at the Income Tax office. Application forms are now filled and photocopied, so we'll be heading back to Putrajaya tomorrow morning to hand those papers in.
If all goes well, we should be receiving the result of all this hullabaloo by Friday. Stay tuned for the last installment of our trilogy.
"Alam na nila 'yon." B-b-but... if you say so.
So back to Putrajaya we went, to secure an approval of which we had no idea of. Once we presented our requirements to the handling officer, she was adamant, saying that approval (whatever that is) is only given after the POEA clearance is issued.
"Your embassy is so confusing," the officer said. "This is not the first time this has happened. First they say that the clearance has to be issued first, and now they need approval before clearance." She went on about how several other requirements in the past would change without notice, and that they had to call the Philippine Labor office frequently for clarification. It goes without saying that we all were pretty peeved. I for one did not want to go back to the Philippine embassy for another round of guess what's next.
We were told to have a seat while they discussed the matter internally, and thankfully the assistant director (or at least that's what I think her position is; she's got three stars on her shoulder lapel) spoke to us and said that we could submit the requirements we had by tomorrow. No guarantees were given, but at least she put in the effort to try and iron things out. How we wish that it was her we could talk to each time we were there.
So I went back to KL to get my employment letter (explaining to my bosses what the heck was going on so that they don't think I'm blowing work off) and my payslip. I had the POEA clearance and the personal bond (each country has it's own designated amount) duty stamped at the Income Tax office. Application forms are now filled and photocopied, so we'll be heading back to Putrajaya tomorrow morning to hand those papers in.
If all goes well, we should be receiving the result of all this hullabaloo by Friday. Stay tuned for the last installment of our trilogy.
The long arm of the Philippine Red Tape has reached you. Best of luck man!