Proposed Bill to Ban Employers from Requiring NBI Clearance
Albay’s 3rd district Representative-elect is preparing to introduce a bill that would ban employers from demanding National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) or police clearances before offering jobs. This move aims to ease the financial burden Filipino jobseekers face when applying for employment.
The proposed legislation targets the common requirement for applicants to submit clearances even before receiving a job offer. According to sources familiar with the matter, this practice forces many job seekers to spend money upfront on government-issued documents, which can range from ₱100 to ₱500 each.
Relieving Jobseekers and Improving Resource Allocation
The bill seeks to protect the constitutional right of Filipinos to be presumed innocent until proven otherwise. It emphasizes that requiring clearances prematurely “forces the poor to pay for suspicion,” as one local leader noted. This policy also wastes valuable time and resources of both the NBI and police, whose personnel and logistics could be better used addressing real crimes.
Once the applicant is officially hired, the employer may request only one type of clearance, avoiding the current practice of demanding multiple documents such as police, barangay, and court certificates.
Penalties and Enforcement
Violators of this measure would face penalties imposed by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). Fines could escalate up to ₱100,000, and repeated infractions might lead to suspension of hiring licenses or business permits.
This reform aims not only to reduce unnecessary expenses for unemployed and newly graduated Filipinos but also to streamline hiring processes across both public and private sectors. Community voices have expressed strong support, highlighting the importance of fairness and efficiency in job application procedures.
For more news and updates on employment reforms, visit Filipinokami.com.
