OWWA to set up Pension fund for OFWs

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is planning to set up a pension fund for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) once they decided to stop working overseas and stay in the country instead.

The OWWA Administrator Marianito Roque said that their agency is studying if they can possibly offer a pension fund for OFWs who will soon retire after several years of working overseas.

“I don’t want to go into details yet. We’re studying it and we will submit our report before the yearend,” the administrator said.

He also added that some OFWs requested if they can create a retirement fund for them as they see themselves jobless once they choose not to work overseas anymore. Since the monthly pension from the Social Security Service (SSS) won’t be enough to finance them once they retire.

For complete details of the article please click this link:
http://www.ofwguide.com/article_item.php?articleid=772

Strictly No Placement Fee for HSWs

The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) has issued a guidelines on the implementation of the reform package for household service workers (HSWs) on December 2006 that no placement fee would be asked from these workers.

On the report that DoLE Secretary Arturo Brion received from Labor Attache Romy Salud of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Hong Kong shows that Filipino HSWs deployed here complained about the promise of the recruiters that they can refund their placement fees after their deployment.

Secretary Brion advised HSWs jobseekers for abroad that they should be wary of either agencies or individuals who may ask them of a placement fees and promised that they can get it back after their deployment.

For complete details of the article please click this link:
www.ofwguide.com/aticle_item.php?articleid=771

OEC Delivery now available!

Do you know that there’s an easy way to request for your overseas employment certificate (OEC) without traveling all the way to the POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration) office?

Returning overseas Filipino workers can now enjoy their vacation while without worrying for their OEC.

The POEA Balik-Manggagawa OEC delivery (02)737-7777, which is available even during Sundays and holidays, will cater vacationing OFWs in processing their OEC via phone. This would save much of their time and they can also enjoy their vacation days and at the same time have their OEC processed and delivered right at their door step.

The Balik-Manggagawa OEC delivery service booth is also present at the POEA premises.

You can also request for a copy of your NSO (National Statistics Office) authenticated birth, marriage, death and Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) and even renew your passport without hassle.

for complete details of the article please click this link:
www.ofwguide.com/article_item.php?articleid=736

Computer Training Centers for OFWs in Italy

The Microsoft Tulay project has put up computer training centers in several countries including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore and Saudi Arabia since the project began three years ago.

Currently there are two computer centers funded in Italy located in Rome and Milan. These training centers benefit about 200,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) there. The training centers will train OFWs to communicate through the use of email or instant messaging with video to their families in the Philippines.

According to Mae Rivera-Moreno, Microsoft's PR and community affairs manager in the Philippines, “We found out that most of our OFWs in Italy return home usually after at least eight years. A lot of families get broken as a result of the great distance and time apart,” she said.
For complete details of the article please click this link:
www.ofwguide.com/article_item.php?articleid=726

OWWA Provides Scholarships for OFW Dependents

Every parent dreams of seeing their sons or daughters received that much coveted college diploma. True enough, the high cost of education and few employment opportunities in the Philippines are some reasons why many Filipinos want to work abroad.

One project of Overseas Workers and Welfare Administration (OWWA) understands and address this need by providing 100 scholarship grants for deserving OFW dependents.

Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who are active OWWA members may apply their qualified dependents to be a possible scholar. Chosen scholars can enroll to any four or five-year course in college.

For complete details of the article please click this link:
http://www.ofwguide.com/article_item.php?articleid=745

Kuwait Visit Visa Update

It is illegal and prohibited for visit visa holders in Kuwait to seek employment and be deployed there. To legalize status, residence visa is needed. Recently we gave you information on how to acquire visit visa, business and for relative in Kuwait as well as the requirements and penalty for overstaying visitors in the county.

With this regard, we would like to give you an update on family visa, visit visa and visit visa to dependent or work visa:

Family Visas
The Kuwait Ministry of Interior has decided to allow expatriates of all nationalities, barring Iraqis, to bring their families to Kuwait provided their monthly salaries are KD 250 or more and they hold a university certificate. Local newspaper further reports that immigration departments in all governorates are accepting dependant visa applications of those planning to bring their immediate kith and kin if they fulfill the required conditions in this regard.

For complete details of the article please visit this link:
http://www.ofwguide.com/article_item.php?articleid=723

How to get a US Visa

Visa is one of the very important requirements in entering the United States. However, having a US visa does not automatically permit you to enter the country. Holding a visa means that U.S. consular officer at an American embassy or consulate has reviewed your application and you are eligible to enter the country for a certain purpose.

A US visa has two categories; immigrant and non-immigrant visa. People who want to live permanently in US are required to secure immigrant visa, while those who want to stay in US temporarily, for tourism, medical treatment, business, temporary work or study should have non-immigrant visa.

Securing a US visa
Applying for a visa would take you about several weeks or longer since there are lots of processes you need to undergo with; filing of application, interviews, name checking, etc. Here are some basic steps that would be helpful in applying US visa.

1. Make an appointment to visit the US Embassy, through phone call, email or in person. Waiting for appointments may take you long, so make sure that you will ask for an appointment as soon as you know you’re going to travel in US.

For complete details of the article please visit this link:
http://www.ofwguide.com/article_item.php?articleid=648

Job Opportunities for Teachers, IT Professionals and Medical Practitioners

Teachers, medical practitioners and IT professionals are highly in-demand abroad. There has been a shortage of these professions in the First World countries and most employers prefer Filipino workers.

Thus, to give professionals a chance to work abroad, vidres.net will hold an overseas job fair dubbed as “Vidres Overseas Job Fest” on February 28-29, 2008, at the Clampshell 2 at Gen. Luna cor Anda St. Intramuros Manila. This is FREE ADMISSION.

for more details please click here

Filipino Hospitality Workers in-demand in Canada

Canada is currently experiencing shortage in tourism and hospitality workers such as food servers and housekeeping workers. According to some reports, Canadian employers consider hiring Filipino workers to fill the vacancy.

For the 2007-08 season, Chemistry Consulting and Success Immigration has put up an office in Cebu, will be recruiting 300 Filipino.

The recruitment started in 2006 since then, they never stop seeking for Filipino workers to work in Vancouver Island’s west coast. They different channel of advertisement locally and across the country but still there’s a shortage of 10 to 20 workers.

Wickaninnish Inn in Tofino Resort is expecting six Filipino workers in the coming weeks and this would be the start of a long-term program of recruitment of foreign workers. Qualified workers will stay in the resort’s worker living units.

According to Charles McDiarmid, managing director of Tofino’s up-market in Wickaninnish Inn, they will encourage Tofino grocers to stock Filipino food items and through creation of a network with other operators employing Filipinos to nurture a “community atmosphere.”

Wickaninnish Inn is set to pay Chemistry Consulting and Success Immigration $2,500 per worker. This includes: $500 per worker payable at the beginning of recruitment agreement; $1,000 per worker payable on the date of issuance of the work visa; $1,000 per worker payable on the date the worker arrives in Canada. Expenses include return airfare of up to $2,000; local health-care expenses of $54 per month per worker; and a visa fee of $150.Filipino applicants who will qualify in the position will pay $55 administration fee to the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA); medical check-up fees; the amount of NBI certificate valid to travel abroad and, cost of an international driver’s license if they want to drive while in Canada, and other living cost during their stay in the country.

According to the spokesperson for British Columbia and Yukon Hotel Association (BCYHA), Ashley Haslett, Filipino workers like room attendants, housekeeping and cleaning staff are also expected to come in to Whistler and the Okanagan this year.

This article was first published in www.ofwguide.com on April 18, 2007

DoLE Lifted Lebanon and Nigeria Deployment Ban

The Department of Labor and Employment partially lifted the deployment ban of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Lebanon and Nigeria.

Labor Secretary Arturo Brion said that the deployment of OFWs in Lebanon will be limited to three categories.

New hires or returning non-household service workers or those working in hotels and other similar establishments will now be allowed to leave the country.

Returning household service workers (HSWs) will only be allowed to leave if they will agree with the policy reforms on household service workers.

The deployments of newly hired household workers are limited to those duly endorsed by the Philippine Overseas labor Offices including members of the family of heads of state/government ministers, deputy ministers and other senior government officials of the host country and members of diplomatic corps and duly recognized international organizations. These employers of HSW are required to comply with the HSW policy reforms.

Meanwhile, OFWs with new contract bound to Nigeria are not allowed to leave. Only those returning OFWs who are on vacation and are going to work with the same employer will only be allowed for the processing and deployment.

According to Brion, the partial lifting of deployment ban in these countries is due to the light improvement of security conditions here. He also said that they are waiting for the full assessment report from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Special Task Force on Lebanon before they decide the appropriateness of completely lifting the ban.

Source: POEA

This article was first published in www.ofwguide.com on March 27, 2007

Cost of Living in Canada

Many Filipinos consider Canada as destination for their overseas job. In the last quarter of 2006, a memorandum of agreement was signed by the Philippines and Canada that would surely bring another opportunity for many Filipinos.

Before you finally decide to work in Canada, we would like to give you a guide on how much would it cost you living and working in here. It is cheaper to live in Canada than that of Europe. Like any other countries, cost of living here varies in your location. The most expensive cities are Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal while Charlottetown, Winnipeg and Edmonton are much cheaper.

Accommodation
The cost of accommodation in Canada depends on the location, apartments near the city are more expensive. Rent for a two-bedroom luxury apartment per month in Vancouver costs $1,406.77. Others say that Alberta has the lowest cost of living while others disagree since there are some areas which accommodation is astronomical.

In most cases for Toronto and other major Canadian cities, the closer you’re house to the city center the higher rent will be. In Toronto, average rental prices are:

#Rent for a one- bedroom apartment range from $500 CAD to $1,200 CAD per month, depending on the proximity to city center and the amenities included

#Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment range from $900 CAD to $1,500 CAD, depending on the proximity to city center.

Food
Food in Canada is much cheaper as compared in Europe, typical food allowance is US$5-10. Eating out is affordable, dining for two in restaurant would only cost you for only $20.

Transportation
The cost of transportation depends on how far you need to travel. Buses are the cheapest means, which cost around $3 CAD for one way. Trains are also available and it will cost you some $2.25 CAD per ticket.

Other bills
Other expenses such as gasoline and cars are cheaper. The prices of gasoline also depend on the location/province of the service station. Electric bill comes costly during winter since you need to heat your house during this season.

If you want to spend time watching movie after a long workweek, it would cost you around $8.50 - $12.00 CAD. Sending an international postage (if you still prefer this type of communication with your love ones although there’s email and text messaging) costs $1.45 CAD.

This article was first published in www.ofwguide.com on March 17, 2007

Filipino Seafarers, World’s Most Sought

The Philippines is the leading supplier of maritime power. About 30% of the worlds’ seafarers are Filipinos. They have been very in-demand all over the world. In fact, Filipino seafarers are the world’s most sought seafarers to meet the shipping industry’s growing need for maritime officers.

But according to labor undersecretary Danilo Cruz, the Philippines can’t fill the need of other country’s demand for seafarers because most Filipino seafarers have only taken up short courses.

“Despite the large number of maritime schools, most of their graduates don’t finish engineering courses. After two years of studies, they get an associate degree and immediately take on jobs (onboard) ships,” he said.
According to the statistics quoted by the National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP), the only government-owned training center, from the International Shipping Federation that there was a shortage of about 10,000 maritime officers last year while ratings or non-officers was oversupply with around 135,000.

It is expected that the shortage for maritime workers will rise to 27,000 while the oversupply of non-officers to 167,000 by year 2015.

The undersecretary said that while most of European and Japanese maritime officers are retiring and their shipping industries is looking to the Philippines to supply their needs but, the country cannot really supply the demand for maritime officers since most of our seafarers are ratings because most Filipino seafarers have only taken up short courses.

“Despite the large number of maritime schools, most of their graduates don’t finish engineering courses. After two years of studies, they get an associate degree and immediately take on jobs ships,” he said.

He also said that the demand for Filipino seafarers will continue to increase. Cruz cited statistics from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) showing that the number of sea-based workers deployed this year increase with 12% compared to last year’s deployment. Sea-based workers deployed from January 1 to September 10 last year were 169,237 and on the same period this year, there are 189,574 seafarers sent to work abroad.

This article was first published in www.ofwguide.com on February 16, 2007

What you need to know in Manama, Bahrain?

Bahrain whose capital city is Manama which is also known as Al Manamah, ranks 6th being the popular destination for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) among the Middle East countries. Manama is an Arab city, but it has modern attitude and it is moderately westernized.

Manama has been a great help for the strong economy of Bahrain. The city made it possible to increase the country’s major hotels, pubs, nightlife and other tourist attractions.

In-demand Jobs in Manama
Manama is currently in need of the following positions:

Professional
Engineers
Restaurant Manager/Supervisor
Architect
Assistant Managers
Accountants
AutoCAD Draftsman
Therapist

Skilled workers
Rigger
Service Crew
Waiter/Waitress
Welder
Pipe Fabricator
Hairdresser
Electrician
Heavy Duty Driver

Salary
There is no minimum wage for foreign workers in Bahrain, but the Philippine government proposed that the minimum wage for Filipina maids would increase from 200 Bahrain Dinar (BD) (about $529) to BD400 (about $ 1059) per month.

Accommodation
Accommodation depends on the location, if you choose to live near city center like Manama, business district or specific residential areas, expect that it is more expensive than those in countryside.

Shared one bedroom might cost you BD 50 to BD 100, a small medium-class 1-2 bedrooms fully furnished apartment is about BD 150 to BD 250, and a bigger/luxury apartment/villa will cost you about BD 300 and up, remember, prices still depends on the location and ensure if your monthly payment is inclusive or exclusive of municipal tax, electricity, and water (normal usage about 10-20 BD per month for mid class apartment).

Transportation
There are different modes of transportation available in Manama; taxis, rent-a-car, and some companies have shuttle service that would pick-up and drop off from and to your job site and accommodation.

Metered/unmetered/shared taxis are everywhere; it costs up to 2 BD for in-the-city trip. While renting a car would cost you BD

Renting a car (150-170 BD/month for small car) is another choice. Buying car also is an option since cars either first hand or used are quite cheap here.

Also it's common for some companies to have a pick-up and drop-off transportation from and to your job place and accommodation (pooling point).

Authority to Contact
In case of any labor disputes or misunderstanding between you and your employer, or disaster you can contact the Philippine Embassy located in Manama. You can find it at:

Villa No. 992A, Road No. 3119
Area 331 Adiya Manama 331
BahrainPhone: (+973) 270-597 (DL) (+973) 246-470 (OWWA) 246-300 (TL) (+973) 250-990 or (+973) 259-599
Fax: (+973) 258-583
Email: manamape@batelco.com.bh, polo_bahrain@dole.gov.ph, polobahrain@yahoo.com

This article was first published in http://www.ofwguide.com/ on February 12, 2007