PDOS at POEA transferred to OWWA

The Department of Labor and Employment and the POEA-OWWA Joint Circular No. 01, Series of 2011 amending the POEA-OWWA Joint Circular No.4, Series of 2002 has transferred the management and conduct of Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) for government-placed and name-hired workers has been transferred to the office of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

Source:

POEA

Caregivers and Nurses Apply in Japan through POEA

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) is now accepting applicants for the 4^th batch of nurses and caregivers that will be sent to Japan. Interested applicants must possess the following qualifications:

Nurses

Graduate of Bachelor of Science in Nursing;

With Board License;

With at least three (3) years hospital experience; and

Must be physically and psychologically fit

Caregivers

A graduate from any four (4) year course and certified as a caregiver by TESDA;

or a Graduate of Bachelor of Science in Nursing; and

Must be physically and psychologically fit

Qualified applicants shall personally submit the following documents to the:

Manpower Registry Division,

Ground Floor, POEA Building,

EDSA corner Ortigas

Avenue, Mandaluyong City or register online at  www.eregister.poea.gov.ph

Here are the requirements. Take note that priority will be given to applicants with complete documents.

Requirements:

• A detailed resume with one piece 2x2 picture

• College diploma (for caregiver applicant, diploma should be authenticated)

• Transcript of Records

• Valid PRC 10

• Employment Certificates (for Nurse applicants)

• Valid TESDA Certificate on Caregiving

• Valid passport

• Valid NBI Clearance (for travel abroad)

Qualified applicants from the Visayas and Mindanao area shall personally submit the above mentioned documents to the following addresses or register online at www.poea.gov.ph or www.eregister.poea.gov.ph

POEA Regional Center for Visayas

Mezzanine Floor, LDM Building

M.J. Cuneco Avenue corner Legaspi City

Cebu City

POEA Regional Center for Mindanao

2nd Floor, AMYA II Building, Quimpo Boulevard corner

Tulip Drive, Ecoland, Davao City

Apply only at POEA, avoid individual recruiters telling you that they can sent you to Japan. Fight illegal recruiters!

Qatar implements accreditation system for recruitment agencies

The Embassy of the State of Qatar is implementing an accreditation system for licensed recruitment agencies in the Philippines. Agencies with visa applications for workers bound for Qatar should send their company profile to the Embassy on or before December 1, 2010. The Embassy is open during weekdays from 9:00 am until 12:00 noon only and will not accept documents after the given deadline.

Recruitment agencies to pay insurance coverage of OFWs

As mandated by Republic Act 10022, licensed recruitment and manning agencies or foreign employers shall pay for the insurance coverage of workers and seafarers they hire and should be at no cost to the worker or seafarer according to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.

Administrator Jennifer Jardin-Manalili said the agencies should not pass on to their recruits, directly or indirectly, the cost of the insurance premium of the worker or face penalties in accordance with existing POEA rules and regulations.

According to Manalili, a certificate of cover (COC) provided by an insurance company licensed and certified by the Insurance Commission (IC) is required before the issuance of overseas employment certificate (OEC) or exit clearance of agency-hired OFWs.

For seafarers, a certificate of entry or other proofs of insurance coverage from the manning agency shall be accepted if the vessel is covered by protection and indemnity, provided that the minimum coverage under sub-paragraphs (a) to (i) 0f Section 37-A of Republic Act 8042, as amended, are included. The coverage must also conform with pertinent POEA rules and regulations and the POEA Standard Terms and Conditions Governing the Overseas Employment of Filipino Seafarers on Board Ocean-Going Ships.
Manalili said the insurance coverage is optional for name hires, rehires balik-manggagawa or vacationing workers) and workers hired through government-to-government arrangement. They may request their foreign employers to pay the cost of insurance or they may pay the premium themselves.

The insurance coverage shall be effective for the duration of the worker’s employment contract and shall cover, at the minimum, the benefits provided for by the Omnibus Rules and Regulations Implementing Republic Act 8042 as amended by RA 10022.
The insurance coverage shall include accidental death, natural death, permanent total disablement, repatriation cost, subsistence allowance, settlement claims, compassionate visit, medical evacuation, and medical repatriation.

POEA

Government lifts ban on deployment of au pairs

After 13-years, the ban on recruitment and deployment of au pairs to selected European countries is finally lifted.

POEA Administrator Jennifer Jardin-Manalili said the Department of Foreign Affairs imposed a ban on the deployment of Filipina au pairs to Europe in 1997 because of the reported maltreatment of au pairs such as unfair compensation, excessive working hours, discrimination and sexual assault.

Manalili said the POEA Governing Board has issued three separate resolutions this year, allowing the deployment of au pairs to Switzerland, Norway and Denmark after these countries have guaranteed protection for them and agreed to observe the requirements of the Philippine government on the deployment of au pairs.

Au pair is a French term which means “on par” or “equal to”, denoting living on an equal basis in a reciprocal, caring relationship with the host family and the children.

Under the POEA guidelines, a Filipino au pair should be between 18 and 30 years of age, unmarried and without any children, placed under a cultural exchange agreement with the host family for a maximum stay of two years for the purpose of immersion in cultural and language training.

During the employment, the au pair should be enrolled in a school to learn the language of the host country and shall live with the host family and treated on an equal basis with the members of the family.

“The Filipino au pair should be given pocket money, and share in child care or light household chores and other responsibilities previously agreed upon in a contract between the au pair and the host family,” Manalili emphasized.

Manalili said the employer shall pay the cost of hiring a Filipino au pair which consists of visa fee, air fare, POEA processing fee, OWWA membership contribution, and cost of training if required by the employer. The au pair shall pay for her passport, NBI clearance, birth certificate, medical tests, Philhealth insurance, and other personal documents.

Manalili added that deployment of au pairs to Switzerland can only be through recruitment entities authorized by the Swiss Federal Office of Migration. Filipino au pairs bound for Norway and Denmark shall be documented by the POEA as name hires.

POEA

POEA: Nurses, Doctors, Technicians Available in Yemen

Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) is calling the attention of highly skilled nurses, doctors and medical technicians who wants to practice their expertise in Yemen.

The POEA said that successful applicants will work in Alordhai Hospital, a government owned medical institution in Yemen.

ICU Nurses
Available position: 10
*Salary: USD700-USD1000 a month
Specialization: Specialized in Post Cardiac Surgery with at least 4 years experience

Nurses:
Available positions: 10
*Salary: USD700-USD1,000 a month
Specialization: For Coronary Care Unit (CCU) with at least 4 years of experience

Scrub Nurses:
Available position: 10
Salary: USD700-USD1,000 a month
Requirement: With at least 4 years of experience.

Doctors:
Available Positions: 2
*Salary: USD1,500-USD2,500 a month
Requirement: With at least 4-5 years experience specializing in Intensive Care Unit (ICU)

Laboratory Technicians
Avalable positions: 2
*Salary: USD500-USD700 a month
Requirement: With at least 3 years of experience

*basic offer depends on the applicant's length of relevant experience.

Qualified applicants may personally submit their resumes complete with job description and a true certified copy of school credentials, employment certificates, board certificate, board rating, PRC card, passport copy and two (2) 2x2 recent picture at the Manpower Registry Division, Window I, ground floor, Blas F. Ople Building, Ortigas Avenue cor. EDSA, Mandaluyong City.

Applicants may also register online at http://www.blogger.com/www.poea.gov.ph or http://www.blogger.com/www.eregister.poea.gov.ph.

Beware of Fake Jobs in Turkey

The Department of Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) Secretary Marianito Roque announced through the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) that the employment documents of overseas performing artists (OPAs) to Turkey is still on process so they should be careful in dealing with recuiters offering this job.

“Due to lack of established protective and monitoring mechanisms, the DoLE is not keen on allowing Filipino artists to perform in that country,’’ said Roque.

He also added that they still have to come up with a bilateral agreement to assure protection of Filipino workers in Turkey.

The POEA website also posted an advisory after receiving reports that some groups of OPAs who were able to land jobs in a nightclub in Turkey complained of abuses by their employer.

The POEA Administrator Jennifer Manalili said that Filipino entertainers had no proper documentation by the POEA and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and they were later repatriated by the Philippine embassy.

The DoLE also reminded jobseekers that they are still implementing the deployment ban of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to Afghanistan since the country is still experiencing wars. The agency also cited the recent death of 10 Filipino workers in a helicopter crash and that it “should serve as a lesson for OFWs defying the ban to their own disadvantage and peril.’’

It has not yet been ascertained whether the workers entered Afghanistan illegally.

“We urge OFWs to seek and avail of legitimate opportunities available to them, through the POEA and licensed recruitment agencies,’’ Roque said, adding these are available in more than 190 host destinations worldwide.

SHIANEE MAMANGLU
MB.com

POEA: Signature in all pages of Employment Contract now required

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration added new requirements for foreign employers before they proceed to facilitate the registration of employers and employment contracts of overseas Filipino workers.

The POEA recently issued a memorandum that all pages of the employment contract should be signed by the employer or principal, as well as other attachment of the employment contract, if any.

Philippine Consul General in Saipan Wilfredo DL. Maximo encourages employers and their representatives to comply with the new requirement to avoid delays in the processing and verification of the employment contracts with the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Saipan and the eventual registration of these documents with POEA in the Philippines.

Source:
Saipan Tribune

Student visas for UK? Beware!

The public is advised to be wary of an illegal recruitment practice luring Filipino students to go to London on a student visa. The recruiters were Filipinos based in London who promise them work in nursing homes for twenty (20) hours with pay as part of the curriculum.

The Philippine Embassy in London has reported that 34 Filipino students have been victimized by these recruiters. Police authorities raided the school for failure to open the courses offered to the students.

The students are supposed to be attending the London School of Health & Management Studies (LSHMS) after payment of 2,500 - 3,500 British Pounds or some US$5,000 – US$7,000 for tuition and student visa fees. The victims also paid additional 150 British Pounds for transportation expenses upon arrival in the United Kingdom.

POEA Advisory

“Nanny Hotline” in Toronto
The provincial government of Toronto, Canada has set up a toll-free hotline for caregivers. The hotline, 1-866-372-3247, is will be used by caregivers to seek advise on their rights under Ontario's provincial labor laws, or to report cases of abuse and exploitation.

Online verification for expats in KSA
Expatriates in Saudi Arabia, including OFWs may inquire about their IDs, iqamas, and visas through the website www.moi.gov.sa, which was recently launched by KSA's Ministry of Interior.

Authentication of OFW documents
The POEA reiterates the standard procedure of authenticating documents of OFWs in the Philippines before it can be used for work overseas. Also, documents coming from where they are working abroad must be authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of that country and by the Philippine embassy accredited to that country, if they want to use the said documents anywhere else in the world later on.

Qatar stops issuance of visa certification
Starting February 1, 2009, the Embassy of the State of Qatar shall issue Visa Stickers instead of visa certification to prevent falsification of Qatar visas. POEA will not issue exit clearance to departing OFWs without the visa sticker. Visa certifications issued prior to February 1, 2009, however, are still valid.

Source:
POEA

Gamca lists diseases that would make OFWs unfit to work

The Gulf Cooperation Council-(GCC) Accredited Medical Clinics Association (Gamca) recently released the list of diseases that would render overseas Filipino workers (OFW) unfit to work in GCC countries

Under the hiring policies of GCC states – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, foreign workers from the Philippines and other Asian countries are required to pass the medical tests conducted only by Gamca clinics.

These include:

Infectious category

• HIV/AIDS reactive
• Hepatitis B surface antifgen, HCV reactive
• Microfilaria positive and malaria blood film positive, known leprosy patients
• Tuberculosis – any type, X-ray showing active PTB, past evidence of PTB or healed
• Pulmonary scar, including minimum fibrosis, calcification (granuloma) pleural thickening, pleural effusion, tuberculosis lymphadenitis
• VDRL/TPHA reactive

Non-infectious category

• Chronic renal failure
• Chronic hepatitis failure
• Congestive heart failure
• Hypertension
• Diabetes mellitus
• Known case of cancer
• Psychiatric disease and neurological disorders
• Physical disabilities, i.e. color blindness, deafness

Source:
POEA

How to Avoid Illegal Recruitment

1. Do not apply at recruitment agencies not licensed by POEA.
2. Do not deal with licensed agencies without job orders.
3. Do not deal with any person who is not an authorized representative of a licensed agency.
4. Do not transact business outside the registered address of the agency. If recruitment is conducted in the province, check if the agency has a provincial recruitment authority.
5. Do not pay more than the allowed placement fee. It should be equivalent to one month salary, exclusive of documentation and processing costs.
6. Do not pay any placement fee unless you have a valid employment contract and an official receipt.
7. Do not be enticed by ads or brochures requiring you to reply to a Post Office (P.O.) Box, and to enclose payment for processing of papers.
8. Do not deal with training centers and travel agencies, which promise overseas employment.
9. Do not accept a tourist visa.
10. Do not deal with fixers.

Source: POEA

How to identify an illegal recruiter?

Due to the global economic crisis, many Filipinos want to work overseas and others are also grabbing this chance to swindle jobseekers. Just for your attention here are some ways on how to distinguish fraud from real recruiters.

Kilalanin ang illegal recruiter!
Ang illegal recruiter ay:

• agad naniningil ng placement fee o anumang kaukulang bayad nang walang resibo
• nangangako ng madaliang pag-alis patungo sa ibang bansa
• nagre-require agad ng medical examination o training kahit wala pang malinaw na employer o kontrata
• nakikipag-transaksiyon sa mga aplikante sa mga pampublikong lugar tulad ng restaurant, mall, atbpa. at hindi sa opisina ng lisensyadong ahensiya
• bahay-bahay kung mag-recruit ng mga aplikante
• hndi nagbibigay ng sapat na impormasyon tungkol sa ina-aplayang trabaho
• nagsasabi na may kausap na direct employer at ang mga aplikante ay di na kailangang dumaan sa POEA
• nangangako ng mabilis na pag-alis ng aplikante gamit ang tourist o visit visa
• walang maipakitang employment contract o working visa
• nagpapakilala na empleyado ng isang lisensyadong recruitment agency ngunit walang maipakitang ID
• nagpapakilala na konektado sa isang travel agency o training center
• nanghihikayat sa mga aplikante na mangalap ng iba pang aplikante upang mapabilis ang pagpapaalis
• walang maibigay na sapat at tamang impormasyon tungkol sa sarili tulad ng buong pangalan o address
• nangangako na ang mga dokumento ay ipapasok sa POEA para mai-process (lalo na sa kaso ng EPS-Korea)
• hihikayatin ka dahil nakapag-paalis na ng isa o higit pa gamit ay tourist visa

Avoid illegal recruiters!

Source: POEA

EPS Korea Extended!

EPS Korea Extended!

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between Korea and Philippines in hiring Filipino workers through the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has been extended.

Department of Labor and Employment Undersecretary Luzviminda Padilla signed the agreement for extension valid for at least three months effective October 20, 2008.

The POEA Administrator Jennifer Jardin-Manalili reminds interested applicants to clarify official guidelines directly to the POEA to avoid illegal recruitments.

“Do not be enticed by these unscrupulous illegal recruiters. Watch out for official guidelines from the POEA,” Manalili said.

Manalili also said that to have a great chance of passing the EPS-KLT, MOL Korea came out with its 2,000 pool of test questions. All interested applicants can access these questions in the POEA website www.poea.gov.ph.

“The EPS, however, does not guarantee employment but provides registered applicants a chance to be offered a labor contract if their qualifications match those specified by the Korean employers,” the POEA administrator stressed.

View the signed agreement

What’s next after passing the EPS-KLT

After having an employment offer applicant will now report for the EPS orientation and pre-documentation briefing, 8am at the:
POEA Multi-Purpose Room
4th Floor BFO Bldg (formerly POEA Bldg.)
Ortigas Avenue Corner EDSA
Mandaluyong City

The following documents are needed to present:

• Original Passport
• 5 photocopies of the first page of the Passport
• KLT official result
• 1 2x2 colored picture with white background
• 1 long brown envelope (write your surname first then first name and middle initials)
• 1 valid ID

If in case the applicant cannot come on the interview schedule, contact the POEA immediately at 7221175 or 7221177.

To view the list of applicants who has offer of employment and scheduled interview on the 11th of November please click the link below:

http://www.poea.gov.ph/eps/Contracts/contract.htm

Returning OFWs should get travel exit clearance early

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration advises overseas Filipino workers returning to the country for the holidays to have their overseas employment certificate (OEC) or travel exit clearance processed early to avoid the holiday rush.

Administrator Jennifer Jardin-Manalili said returning workers should avoid flocking to the POEA office in Ortigas immediately after Christmas and New Year’s Day as this results to long lines at the Balik-Manggagawa Processing Center.

To avoid the huge crowd, Manalili suggested that returning OFWs secure their exit clearance instead at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) nearest their jobsite even before their flight to the Philippines, or as soon as they arrive in the country.

Workers going to the provinces may also get their exit clearance from the POEA regional offices nearest their residence. The POEA offices are located in Baguio City; Tuguegarao City; San Fernando City, La Union; Clark Field, Pampanga; Calamba City; Legaspi City; Tacloban City; Iloilo City; Bacolod City; Cebu City; Cagayan de Oro City; Zamboanga City; and Davao City.

Manalili said OFWs may also use the OEC courier system that is available online at www.poea.gov.ph.

Nevertheless, all POEA offices nationwide will be open on December 22, 23, 24, 26 and 29; and January 2, 2009; considered as peak days, to process exit clearance of returning workers, Manalili said.

Source:
POEA

POEA not recruiting nor accepting applications for Canada

The Canada provinces of Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Alberta, and British Columbia which have signed a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Labor and Employment are recruiting Filipino workers through licensed recruitment agencies and not through POEA.

Applicants may submit their applications to recruitment agencies with approved job orders from Canadian employers. Recruitment agencies are not allowed to collect placement fees from workers bound for Canada.

Meanwhile, employers from British Columbia, which will conduct a pilot recruitment mission in Manila, are looking for long-haul drivers, food counter attendants, and hotel workers. Applicants for long-haul drivers must have at least two years experience, class 1 license or equivalent, and high school education at the minimum. Qualified applicants are requested to submit their documents to Omanfil International Manpower Corp., Manpower Resources of Asia, IPAMS, EDI Staffbuilders International Inc., and Dahlzen International Services, Inc.

Food attendants and hotel workers may submit their applications to any of the following top agencies: AG&P Company of Manila, Dahlzen International Services Inc., EDI Staffbuilders International Inc., EEI Corporation, Eligardi Enterprises Inc., Gatchalian Promotion Talents Pool Inc., Industrial Personnel & Management Services, Inc. (IPAMS), International Skill Development Inc., Manpower Resources of Asia Inc., Omanfil International Manpower Development Corporation, Philippine Hospitals and Health Services Inc., and Sangle Bernabe International Incorporated.

POEA

Incentive program for victims of illegal recruitment

Administrator Rosalinda Dimapilis Baldoz is encouraging victims of illegal recruitment to avail of the POEA’s incentive program in filing cases against their recruiters as she observed that most illegal recruitment cases do not prosper in courts because of desistance of the complainants.

Baldoz said many illegal recruitment cases are dismissed due to complainants’ disinterest to pursue the case or their inability to pay the required docket fees. Most often, after filing the cases, victims would not continue participating in court proceedings, accepting instead measly sum of settlement money.

The POEA’s incentive program hopes to perk up complainants’ interest in illegal recruitment cases by providing assistance to victims and witnesses through the payment of docket fees and other court related expenses.

As a bonus, victims and witnesses availing of the program shall be given priority for overseas employment at no cost, Baldoz said.

“It is very disappointing to see illegal recruitment cases we have helped build up being dismissed and archived because the complainants lost interest or accepted settlement money to drop the case,” said Baldoz.

Baldoz cited a case filed in Manila which was already in the pre trial stage when one of the accused offered the complainant P70,000 as settlement money. The victim readily accepted the money because she paid the accused P30,000 only.

POEA

UAE adds Hepatitis C to list of deportable diseases

Effective July 1, 2008, the United Arab emirates will consider hepatitis C a deportable disease in addition to the present list that includes HIV, tuberculosis and hepatitis B. The new test applies to all expatriates applying for residency and labor visas, including renewal. Anyone who tests positive for hepatitis C virus (HCV) will be deported.

From:
POEA

Job scams in the internet

OFWs beware! The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration received reports of Filipino workers victimized by the following employment scams in the internet:

Reserve Petroleum Nederland BV (www.reservpetroleum-ol.com)
Copied the website of a legitimate maritime contracting company, and posts fake offers for jobs in dredging and marine projects in Europe
Asks applicants to pay fees for visa or work/residence permit, additional fees to cover registration of documents
Targets OFWs in the Middle East

Western Nursing & Day Care Services Ltd. (wns.ltd.tripod.com/index.html)
Offers caregiving jobs in Canada
Applicants to pay visa fee and medical insurance
Uses free e‐mail and website hosting services

First Global Manpower (firstglobal.manpowerrecruitment@yahoo.fr)
Offers jobs as fish packers, garden workers and office cleaners in Ecuador, USA,
Canada and Turkey
Lists office address in Ivory Coast
Uses e-mail in recruitment (The POEA Administrator actually received such e-mail)
Charges service fees for processing of visa