Japan offers 2012 government scholarships

The Embassy of Japan is accepting applications for the 2012 Japanese Government Scholarship: Teacher Training and Japanese Studies Categories until February 29, 2012.

According to a press release from the embassy, these scholarship categories are open to all Filipino citizens satisfying the requirements indicated below. Read more

DFA plans to open diplomatic posts in 2 Mexico cities

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) plans to open two honorary consulates in Manzanillo and Veracruz, two port cities in Mexico where at least 100,000 Filipino seafarers pass each year.

According to a DFA press release, Mexican Foreign Minister Patricia Espinosa expressed support for these plans in a meeting with Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F del Rosario last week. Read more

2nd Filipino saint to be canonized in October

Blessed Pedro Calungsod will be the second Filipino to be declared a saint by the Roman Catholic Church when he is canonized on October 21.

According to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Pope Benedict XVI announced this much-awaited news over the weekend through Angelo Cardinal Amato, prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, at St. Peter’s Basilica. Read more

Baldoz advises students to qualify for jobs in emerging industries

Labor chief Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz encourages incoming college students to take academic courses that address the needs of emerging industries where there are better prospects for employment in the country.

According to Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) news, Baldoz said four industries are seen to provide the most number of local jobs in the long term: creative industries, strategic farming and fishing, power and utilities, and renewable energy. Read more

UK ensures only brightest foreign graduates can remain for work

Only “the most talented international graduates” in the United Kingdom (UK) will be eligible to work there as soon as the new rules become effective on April 6, 2012.

According to UK Border Agency (UKBA) news, foreigners who study in the UK will be qualified to remain there for work only if they earn a degree in a university and are offered a skilled job with a minimum salary of £20,000 by a UKBA-accredited employer. Read more

PH, Lebanon sign pact to benefit HSWs

Labor chief Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz signed early this month two landmark agreements with Lebanon Labor Minister Charbel Nahaz that could pave the way to the lifting of the household service worker (HSW) deployment ban to Lebanon.

The two officials signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Labor Cooperation and an accompanying Protocol. These are meant to improve the process of recruitment and deployment of domestic workers to Lebanon when the deployment ban, which continues to remain in effect, is lifted. Read more

2011 remittances reach US$20.1 billion

Remittances from overseas Filipinos coursed through banks for the whole year of 2011 amounted to US$20.1 billion, 7.2% higher than the amount in 2010, according to a Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) press release.

For the month of December, remittances grew by 6.2%, registering the highest monthly level at $1.8 billion. Read more

Korea to facilitate rehiring of foreign workers under EPS

South Korea has adopted measures that will make it easier for foreign workers, who worked for Korean small and medium enterprises (SMEs) under the Employment Permit System (EPS), to be rehired when their contracts expire.

According to Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) news, Act. No. 11276 (Revision on the Act on Employment of Foreign Workers) was promulgated on February 1 and will take effect on July 2. Read more

51 to be repatriated from Kuwait

A total of 51 more overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are scheduled for repatriation from Kuwait after the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) was able to settle their cases, according to Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) news.

POLO Kuwait’s efforts are in line with the new DOLE policy to reduce the number of distressed OFWs sheltered at the Filipino Workers Resource Centers (FWRCs) through case settlement and repatriation. Read more

POLO Dubai rescues OFW from Syrian employer

A Filipino domestic worker was rescued by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Dubai just before her Syrian employer could send her to Qatar, according to Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) news.

Nida Lozada wanted to return home due to the volatile situation in Syria but her employer wanted to bring her to Qatar via Dubai instead. Read more

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