How mentally prepared are you to work overseas? This is something the POEA wants to find out.

Newspapers have picked up plans by the agency to conduct a mandatory "enhanced" psychological test for all workers leaving for abroad. At present, all departing OFWs must undergo a medical and psychological test that they pay for.

A team from the Department of Health and the National Center for Mental Health is reportedly reviewing the current test standards and is set to release new ones.

Under the proposed plan, the new psychological test would be a two-stage assessment. The first stage would assess an individual’s mental preparedness; the second stage would validate any assessment that puts doubt on an OFW’s mental capability to adapt to the pressures of work life abroad.

But the proposed psychological test has met opposition from clinics accredited to conduct such tests. They object to the plan to conduct the enhanced test without added cost to the departing OFW. The clinics insist that it should be paid by either the agency or the worker. They also say that the test would delay the processing of departing workers. They point out that the examination would last from three to five hours, with the release of results taking up to seven days.

Meantime, the pre-departure orientation seminars all OFWs also go through to familiarize themselves with the laws and culture of their host country are being revised to include a stress management course. The workshop-seminars would give OFWs tips for dealing with loneliness, homesickness, and job stress.