English proficiency advised for OFWs bound for Cayman Islands

Filipinos wanting to work in the Cayman Islands will have to brush up on their English due to a new requirement taking effect July 1, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) advised Wednesday.

The requirement prompted DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz to advise Filipinos bound for the Cayman Islands to take an English language test before heading there for work.

Labor Attaché to Washington D.C. Luzviminda Padilla said the Cayman Islands’ Department of Immigration will introduce starting July 1 a requirement for prospective workers to take an overseas English language testing (ELT), if their first language is not English.

Prospective workers are to undergo examination by one of the two recognized English Testing Centers:

- International English Language Test (IELTS)
- Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC)

“Workers must score within the following ranges to be able to secure their work permits — Band Score Level 6 for IELTS and Band Score Level B2 for TOEIC,” a DOLE press release quoted Padilla as saying.

Applicants are to shoulder the testing fees and other arrangements, the DOLE said.

It added tests taken before July 1 will be accepted "provided that the results are not older than two years."

On the other hand, employers are responsible for advising potential workers from non-English speaking countries about the requirement.

For her part, Baldoz said the DOLE is confident overseas Filipino workers can pass the test easily "as they are known globally for their fluency in English."

"We just want them to make sure that the testing center where they will take their test are accredited by either IELTS and TOEIC to avoid problems with their work permits and other documents needed for their work application in Cayman Islands," she said.

But she also warned prospective OFWs to be "very careful in dealing with recruitment agencies and not to turn to illegal schemes to fast track their deployment abroad.” —Joel Locsin/KBK, GMA News

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