Your Guide in Working in Kuwait

Your Guide in Working in Kuwait

Kuwait is one of the most popular destination for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). You may want to know how much you will earn and spend before leaving the country and sign your contract. Some expenses you need to consider is you accommodation, food, transportation, mobile loads and some relaxation time.

Before you sign your contract, aside from accommodation, food and transportation allowance, you must understand if your employer will shoulder your plane ticket, so you may have wild estimate if the salary offered is good for you to pursue your plan to work abroad.

According to OFWGuide Forum member, techspeak, food is not so expensive in Kuwait. If you are an average eater, you may allot at least 25KD monthly including your toiletries. There is also catering that offers a month food package cost 14KD, serendipitous2011 added.

Some employers offer free accommodation while some are not. If it happens that your employer do not offer a free accommodation, your budget for a sharing room is around 35-50kd monthly. Same thing with transportation, there are companies that offers free service to employees, so make sure that you can catch the shuttle schedule or else you will allot at least 15KD for your transpo.

Forumer serendipitous2011 also advice to bring your own clothes that to buy it in Kuwait since it is more expensive.

For your mobile load, you may allot 10KD monthly and Internet charge is around 9KD with 24 hours time usage.

Don’ts in Kuwait

Kuwait is a OFW-friendly country but still it is a Muslim kingdom and there are some things that are not pleasing for them that non-Muslims are sometimes practicing. Here are some things that you should avoid doing while working in Kuwait.

1.       PDA (Public Display of Affection)

2.       Wearing of shorts or tight-fitting clothes for women.

3.       Bringing of drugs, alcohol pork products and obscene materials.

4.       Driving while in the influence of liquor.

5.       Living with person that is not your wife of husband.

Before signing your contract you must know if you have:

1.       FREE two way tickets after your 2 years contract.

2.       30 days vacation leaves with pay annually.

If you are longing to more about working in Kuwait, we invite you to visit www.ofwguideforum.com or check this topic TO ALL OFW OF KUWAIT and destined to work here.

Original article was published here:  Things You Should Know Before Working in Kuwait

Survey Says Pinoys Abroad Don’t Know How to Register for OAV

The Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV) registration for the 2013 national elections started on November 02, 2011 and would end on October 31, 2012.

As the deadline nears, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Commission on Elections (Comelec) are urging Filipinos abroad to register so they can meet their target of one million registrants. As of September 10, stats from the DFA said that they still need more or less 150,000 registrants to meet this target.

What could be the reason why some Filipinos abroad fail to register for the OAV?  Could it be that many would like to exercise their right to participate in the national elections even when they are out of the country but just don’t know how or where to do it.

Survey Result:

Apparently many Filipinos abroad would like to register for the OAV but are hindered by lack of information about the registration process or venues. Another reason is because the registration is too far from their place.

This conclusion is based in an informal survey conducted among site visitors of OFWGuide.com and WorkAbroad.ph Facebook page from September 2 to September 11, 2012.

Of the respondents, only 12.2% have already registered for the OAV. This is in far contrast from the 87.8% who have not yet registered.

Why They Did Not Register

Of the survey respondents who are not yet registered, 34.7% said that they want to register but don’t know how or where. 29.6% said that the registration venue is too far from their location while 22.4% are clueless about the ongoing registration. Only 13.3% said that they don’t want to register and don’t intend to vote.

About the Respondents

Majority of the respondents (90.8%) are legal OFW. The remaining 6.1% are undocumented OFWs and 3.1% are Filipinos with permanent residency status in their host country.

To help Filipinos abroad who want to register here are some basic FAQs about the OAV:

(Taken from: http://www.philippineembassy-usa.org/)

Who can register as Overseas Absentee Voters?

• All Filipino citizens abroad who are at least 18 years old on 14 May 2013, and who are not otherwise disqualified by law;

• Those who have reacquired or retained their Philippine citizenship under R.A. 9225 and other Filipino citizens with dual citizenship;

• Immigrants or permanent residents of other countries who are recognized as such in their host countries.

Where and how can one register for OAV? Is personal appearance at the PH Embassy required?

• A registrant needs to have their biometrics captured so personal appearance is required in the venue where the registration will be done, which can be at the Philippine Embassy/Consulate General or any identified registration site.
  
  

What requirements should one present to be an Overseas Absentee Voter?

• Valid Philippine passport or a certificate from the DFA issued through the Philippine Embassy/Consulate General, declaring either of the following;

1. that one have submitted document that will warrant the issuance of a passport 
2. or one is a valid passport holder but unable to produce it for valid reasons.
• Accomplished OAV Form No. 1 that is available at the Philippine Embassy/Consulate General or mobile registration site at the time of registration.

The form can also be downloaded in the following sites: 

COMELEC http:www.comelec.gov.ph

Department of Foreign Affairs  http://www.dfa.gov.ph)

Philippine Embassy / Consulate General http://www.philippineembassyusa.org/philippines-dc/oav-registration-dc

·         For seafarers, an additional requirement is a photocopy of their Seaman’s Book or any other document to prove that they are a seafarer.

 

Best POEA Recruitment Agency for OFWs

There are more than 500 POEA recruitment agencies deploying overseas Filipino workers all over the world. Who among them could serve OFWs the best in terms of less money to shell out from OFWs pocket, friendly and accommodating staffs, no violation of contract, etc.

Forumers from OFWGuide Forum voice out who among these agencies can give the best service to first time and even experienced OFWs. Let’s find out who where included in the OFWs’ list.

• EDI- Staffbuilders International Inc
• Industrial Personnel & Management Services INC (IPAMS)
• Powerhouse Staffbuilders Intl Inc
• Universal Staffing SVCS., INC.
• Magsaysay Maritime Corporation
• Mirben International Manpower Services
• CDK International Manpower Services Corp.
• JS Contractor INCORPORATED
• Chesham Recruitment Inc.

Want to know more about OFWs best recruitment agencies review? Check Recruitment Agency Reviews

You may find jobs from POEA recruitment agencies here.

Want to Work in Singapore?

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Having this e-book will help you get answers to these questions:

Why Singapore is a great destination for OFWs.

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What are the in-demand jobs in Singapore?

How to save money in Singapore?

What are the working conditions in Singapore?

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Libya Welcomes Filipino Workers

The Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya or Libya is making an effort to improve their country’s image after taking responsibility for the bombing in Lockerbie Scotland back in 1988 and renouncing the development of weapon of mass destruction. This made the United Nations (UN) finally lift the sanction thus attracting foreign workers including overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to work in the country.

In OFWGuide Forum, a discussion entitled “LIBYA - the sleeping giant awakes!” started by pinoyxpat, reveals the pleasing working environment in Libya as compared to other Middle East countries.

“Ang pagkaka-alam ng iba sa atin eh napaka gulo sa lugar na ito, hindi naman pala, sa tingin ko eh, ito na ang susunod na sentro ng destinasyon ng maraming pinoy OFW dahil sa malaking pagbabago ng kanilang ekonomiya,” pinoyxpat said. (Others thought that this place (Libya) is a riot but it’s actually not, I think this would be the next hot destination to many OFWs because of its growing economy.)

He also cited reasons why OFWs would be encourage seeking work in Libya.

1. Arab country pero mas maluwang ang pamamalakad. (This is an Arab country but rules are very lenient
2. Pwedeng mag-usap ang babae at lalake. (Opposite sex can talk in public)
3. 100% remittance sa pinas, pero pwede naman ang cash advance. (100% remittance in the Philippines but you can avail of cash advance.)
4. Pwede rin ang malalakas na sounds at hindi nagsasara ang mga tindahan tuwing oras ng dasal (Can play music in a maximum volume and stores do not close when they need to pray.)
5. Hindi naka-abaya ang mga babae. (Women are not required to wear abaya)
6. Maganda pa ang sahod ng OFW at mostly yearly ang bakasyon. (Salary is good and once a year vacation)
7. May available na Catholic Church (There is a Catholic church)

Earnings in Libya are taxable but it depends to your employer, there are employers who shoulder the taxes instead of the employees paying their taxes.

Forumer vlueazul added that Libyans are friendly and they are easy to get along with as compare to other nationalities from GCC countries.

Read more about the discussion of our OFWs regarding the working conditions in Libya by visiting this thread LIBYA - the sleeping giant awakes! You need to register first before you can access the forum. 

Source:
OFWGuide

POEA Overseas Exit Clearance for OFWs

The exit clearance come in the form of an E-Receipt (electronic receipt) or an Overseas Employemnt Certificate (OEC) certifying to the regularity of a workers recruitment and documentation and ensures exemption from travel tax and airport terminal fee. It is presented at the POEA Labor Asistance Center (LAC) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) counter at the airports, prior to departure.

The E-Recipt or OEC serves as the worker's guarantee that he/she is covered by government protection and benefits.

Who are considered as Balik-Manggagawa?
A balik-manggagawa or a worker-on leave refers to an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who is on vacation or on leave and is returning to the same employer.

Use of exit clearance
Having an exit clearance is proof that the worker has undergone the legal and right procedure of overseas employment. Being a registered OFW, the worker is accorded the full protection and benefits from government institions while he is working abroad and upon his return to the Philippines.

It also exempts the OFW from payment of travel tax and airport terminal fee.

OFWs Cost of Living in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is one of the seven Emirates and is the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This Emirate houses many oil companies, foreign embassies and the federal cabinet. Abu Dhabi is also the workplace of thousands of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

One of the most important things that an OFW that is planning to work in Abu Dhabi should know is the cost of living there. Knowing the cost of living in a desired work destination lets an OFW plan their budget ahead of time and allot an appropriate amount to remittance, savings and allowances. For OFWs aiming to work in Abu Dhabi, read on to gain tips on how to handle your expenses properly.

Read more of Cost of Living in Abu Dhabi here: http://www.ofwguide.com/article_item-1640/Cost-of-Living-in-Abu-Dhabi-2011.html#ixzz1f1oWe000

Countries Recommended by POEA for OFWs

Here is the complete list of countries where the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) found compliant with the governing law of the deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs.

Albania	Kazakhstan
Angola	Kenya
Argentina	Korea (South)
Australia	Lao PDR/Laos
Austria	Latvia
Azerbaijan	Liberia
Bahamas	Liechtenstein
Bangladesh	Lithuania
Belarus	Luxembourg
Belgium	Macau
Belize	Madagascar
Benin	Malawi
Bermuda	Malaysia
Bolivia	Maldives
Bosnia-Herzegovina	Malta
Brazil	Marshall Islands
Brunei	Mauritius
Burkina Faso	Mexico
Burundi	Morocco
Cambia	Myanmar
Cameroon	Namibia
Canada	New Zealand
Cape Verde	Nigeria
Central African Republic	Northern Marianas
Chile	Norway
Columbia	Oman
Comoros	Palau
Congo Republic	Paraguay
Cook Islands	Peru
Costa Rica	Poland
Cyprus	Portugal
Czech Republic	Puerto Rico
Democratic Republic of Congo	Romarria
Denmark	Russian Federation
Ecuador	Rwanda
Equatorial Guinea	San Marino
Estonia	Sao Tome and Principe
Fiji	Senegal
Finland	Seychelles
France	Sierra Leone
Gabon	Slovak Republic
Germany	Slovenia
Ghana	South Africa
Greece	Spain
Grenada	Sri Lanka
Guam	Suriname
Guatemala	Sweden
Guinea	Switzerland
Guinea Bissau	Taiwan
Guyana	Tanzania
Guyana	The Netherlands
Hong Kong	Togo
Hungary	Trinidad and Tobago
Iceland	Tunisia
Indonesia	Turkey
Ireland	Uganda
Israel	Ukraine
Italy	United Kingdom
Ivory Coast/Cote d'Ivoire	United States of America
Jamaica	Uruguay
Japan	Venezuela
Jordan	Vietnam