I-Remit to serve OFWs in Rome, Milan

I-Remit, Inc. will begin serving overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Rome on August 1; it will also open a branch in Milan in two weeks’ time, according to a Philippine Daily Inquirer report.

Said to be “the largest non-bank remittance company in the country,” i-Remit will expand in Europe through its subsidiary IRemit Global Remittance Limited (IGRL), which is now licensed to operate and offer services in 29 European Economic Area States. Read more

IMO affirms PH compliance with global seafaring standards

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has retained the Philippines in the global maritime body’s “White List,” the maritime sector’s “reference bible” in seafaring excellence for the third time in 10 years, announced labor chief Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz.

“The inclusion of the Philippines in the so-called IMO ‘White List’ reflects its consistent and sustained standing in giving ‘full and complete effect’ to the IMO’s revised Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping Convention, or STCW ’95, as amended,” Baldoz said, according to news from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). Read more

OFWs in KSA warned against “5-6″ loans

Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) should not lend or borrow money at “usurious rates,” popularly knows as “5-6,” because this is a criminal offense, said the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh.

In a news report, the DFA said: “To avoid being accused of usury, lenders have resorted to lending cash, with the borrower signing a promissory note to pay installments with a total greater than the amount of cash borrowed.” Read more

Beware of recruiters claiming ties with POEA officials to dupe victims

POEA News Advisory
July 29, 2011

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) warns applicants for overseas jobs against falling prey to unscrupulous recruiters who drag the name of POEA officials in their illegal activities.

Administrator Carlos S Cao, Jr said he discovered the new illegal recruitment scheme when two job applicants filed their complaints against a certain Eduardo B Monserate Jr who had been recruiting Filipino workers for Guam. Read more

How 2 Come to the UK | By CHARLES KELLY

14-year stay immigration concession to be closed

LONDON, the United Kingdom–The Home Office plans to shut down what many see as a loophole that grants illegal immigrants a permanent stay in the United Kingdom (UK) after 14 years whether they entered the UK legally or not, The Telegraph reports.... Read more

Overseas Pinoy Cravings

Recently, my American boss was so happy he found “Little Manila” in San Francisco because it means he can now buy Chippy whenever he craves for the salty snack. He was introduced to the snack when he visited Manila last April, and it’s the single Filipino food that has had a strong impact on him. Chippy is, to my boss, what Market Manila’s lechon is to Anthony Bourdain.... Read more

PH consular services in Bangkok offered every 3rd Saturday of the month

The Philippine Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand is offering consular services on every third Saturday of the month in response to the request of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who cannot get off work on weekdays.

According to Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) news, the embassy offered consular services for the first time on a Saturday on July 23. The next schedule is on August 20. Read more

Reintegration loan available only to OWWA members

Only overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who are members of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), including former OFWs who were also OWWA members, are qualified to apply for a business loan under the PhP2-billion OFW-Reintegration Program (OFW-RP).

National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) Director Vivian F Tornea issued the statement in response to inquiries from non-OWWA members, who expressed interest to avail of business loans, according to a Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) press release. Read more

51 domestic workers repatriated from Kuwait

Labor chief Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz announced Tuesday that 51 household service workers (HSWs) in Kuwait have been repatriated through the facilitation of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO).

Citing a report of labor attache to Kuwait Des Dicang, Badoz said the 51 distressed HSWs, who were sheltered at the Filipino Workers Resource Center (FWRC) being maintained by the POLO, came home through the government’s mass repatriation program. Read more

Filipinas shine in summer jobs in Dubai

BY ART LOS BAÑOS

“Take risks. Live life. Do what you love to do. And don’t let anyone control your life.”

This was the closing message of 16-year-old theater actress and singer Isabel “Izzy” Instrella Salinel last July 12 on our radio show Filipino Excellence in the Middle East. The topic was summer jobs. While on summer break from St. Mary’s Catholic High School in Dubai, Salinel was the only Filipina to appear in a major role in a stage adaptation of the Disney Channel movie Camp Rock where she played Rosie Day. Read more

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