Dubai: Filipinos are told to keep a screenshot of their exit clearance exemption in hand before leaving the Philippines back to the UAE after a holiday to ensure a hassle-free travel.

Filipino workers going back to the Philippines on holiday need an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) to prove that they have been hired legally and intend to go back to the same employer abroad. A recent government decision, however, allowed exemption for some workers from getting this exit clearance.

Workers who are returning to the same employer abroad who have existing records with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) database through the BM Online Processing System and those who were processed through POEA are exempted.

The scheme, introduced on September 15, eliminates the need to carry or print out any document since the POEA and other agencies, including Manila’s Bureau of Immigration, are already sharing their database for all exempted workers.

But confusion has arisen as some workers said they are required to produce their exit clearances and other documents at the airport despite the new “paperless scheme”.

Hariet, 37, a photo researcher who returned to her employer recently, said there was a lack of coordination at the airport and POEA.

“Airport officials do not know if I have to bring a physical copy of the clearance or not. I wish they were more coordinated to avoid hassles like this,” the Filipina said.

In Johanna Joy Olesco’s case, although she had electronic proof that she was already exempted, she was still asked to provide other “proofs” of her employment. The nurse’s valid UAE residence visa was not enough.

Amy Reyes, POEA deputy administrator, said airport authorities in Manila have requested for a meeting this week to clarify this issue.

“Under the new system, since we already have a database sharing with the Bureau of Immigration, there’s no need to have the actual physical clearance or the [exemption notice],” Reyes told Gulf News via a phone interview from Manila.

“We have to check where this issue is coming from. We will raise this during our meeting.”

Reyes advised exempted Filipinos to keep a screenshot of their exemption notice on their phones or tablets for their security. They can also seek assistance from the Labour Assistance Counter at the airport should a problem arise.