Scam Alert: New E-mail Scam (Phishing E-mail) Targeting OFWs

In a recent news article, the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh warned the general public, especially Overseas Filipino Workers, against a new e-mail scam claiming to be from Philippine embassies, promising cash prizes and asking for personal details.

This new email scam is one form of phishing e-mails used by cyber criminals for identity theft.

Phishing e-mails are used for identity theft.
Image from here.

The warning came about after an OFW wisely approached the Philippine Consulate General in Saipan after receiving such an email. The e-mail is supposedly from the Philippine Embassy in Muscat, Oman informing him of a cash prize amounting to 500, 000 pounds and asking his personal details for him to to receive the prize money.

This website voices the same warning to OFWs, and to internet users in general. Use logic. How can you win in a contest/promo you did not join? It is close to impossible to be that lucky. No government authority like an embassy asks for personal information via e-mail.

Here's a few to things to spot phishing e-mails and avoid being scammed.

The e-mail does not contain your complete name. Regular phishers blasts out these kind of e-mails by the thousands. They won't have the time to know your complete name. Even if they do, it would be tedious for them to send specific e-mails to respective names. As a result, greetings/salutations in these e-mails are generic like Dear OFW, etc.

There are obvious misspelled words and wrong grammar. For many phishers, English is a secondary language.

Links or URLs posted in the e-mail do not really point you to the right website/webpage. You can check this by hovering the mouse pointer over the link/URL. Examine them if they really point to the official website of the embassy it claims to be. Check if there are mispellings, inserted hyphens, reversed letters etc. More sophisticated phishers can put the real link/URL but divert victims to a pop up page or different website.

Even with these tips and those from other websites, no internet user can really be 100% phishing-free, no matter how smart they are. The best defense against phishing e-mails is better judgement.

For those who have taken interest with similar e-mails, the best course of action is to verify directly with the embassy where the e-mail claims to be coming from.

And in case you spot a phishing e-mail, it would be helpful to report it to authorities and share it with friends and relatives. Spreading the word about it will make life harder for these scammers victimize OFWs.

Here are additional resources about identifying and avoiding phishing e-mails on credit card, banking and financial institutions.

- http://www.microsoft.com/security/online-privacy/phishing-symptoms.aspx
- http://banking.about.com/od/securityandsafety/a/phishingscams.htm
- http://webtoolsandtips.com/uncategorized/detecting-phishing-scam-emails/

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Opticians [NOC 3231]

Opticians fit clients with prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses, assist clients in the selection of eyeglass frames, arrange for the production of eyeglasses or contact lenses and mount lenses in eyeglass frames.

Opticians are the kind of medical professionals that I see at least once a year. They are the ones who help farsighted or nearsighted people see better and at the same time look better. Opticians themselves need an eye for what frame or eyeglasses would enhance the facial features of their clients.

They are employed in optical retail outlets or other establishments with optical dispensing departments, or they may be self-employed.

Opticians perform some or all of the following duties:

• Obtain specifications for eyeglasses or contact lenses from a prescription prepared by an ophthalmologist or optometrist or by analyzing the client's eyeglasses or contact lenses and by measuring client's eye curvature, pupillary distance and bridge width, using optical measuring devices
  
• Assist clients in selecting eyeglasses by advising on lens materials, frames, tints and anti-reflection coating
  
• Advise on use and care of contact lenses
  
• Arrange for grinding and polishing of lenses or grind and polish lenses
  
• Cut and edge lenses and fit lenses into frames
  
• Adjust finished eyeglasses to fit client
  
• May supervise or manage the activities of other opticians or student opticians.
  

A 2-3 years college program in ophthalmic dispensing, apprenticeship and licensing can greatly help an optician in his/her career.

Opticians may take any of the following sample titles:

apprentice optician
contact lens dispenser
contact lens fitter
contact lens practitioner
contact lens technician
dispenser, contact lens
dispenser, ophthalmic devices
dispenser, optical devices
dispensing optician
dispensing optician student
eyeglasses fitter
eyeglasses frame fitter
fitter, contact lens
fitter, eyeglasses
fitter, eyeglasses frame
licensed contact lens practitioner
licensed dispensing optician
licensed optician
licensed practitioner, contact lenses
ophthalmic device dispenser
ophthalmic dispenser
optical device dispenser
optical frame fitter
optician
optician, dispensing
optician, student
practitioner, contact lenses
spectacle frame fitter
student optician
technician, contact lenses
technician, visual ortheses
technician, visual orthotic devices
visual orthesis technician
visual orthotic device technician

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Black Saturday - Special Non-Working Day - Pay Guide

This is for those locally employed in the Philippines.

Were you required to report to work this Black Saturday (April 23, 2011)? It was declared by Pres. Benigno Aquino III to be a special non-working day.

Here's how you should be paid for that specific day.

You are entitled to 130% of your daily rate for the first 8 hours and to an additional 30% of your hourly rate on the said for overtime work rendered.

If Black Saturday falls on your rest day, you are entitled to 150% of your regular daily rate for the first 8 hours plus 30% of your hourly rate on the said for overtime work.

If you did not report to work on this day, you are not entitled to any payment unless it is company policy to do so or part of the collective bargaining agreement between the company and its employees states that payments should still be issued for special non-working days even if not worked.

From the Department of Labor & Employment (DOLE) advisory.

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Chiropractors [NOC 3122]

Chiropractors diagnose and treat patients' neuromuscular-skeletal disorders of the spine and other body joints by adjusting the spinal column or through other corrective manipulation.

They are also known as doctors of chiropractic or chiropractic physicians. Their medical practice is based on the principle that spinal joint misalignments interfere with the nervous system and can result in lower resistance to disease and many different conditions of diminished health.

Chiropractors perform some or all of the following duties:

• Take patient's case history, conduct examination, observe patient and perform X-rays and other tests to diagnose patient's condition
  
• Diagnose neuromuscular-skeletal disorders of the spinal column, pelvis, extremities and associated tissues
  
• Treat health disorders in a natural manner through adjustments or articular manipulations and complementary treatments such as electrotherapy, nutrition, light and massage with special attention given to the spine
  
• Advise patients on corrective exercises, posture, lifestyle and nutrition
  
• Refer patients for medical care when appropriate.
  

Chiropractors may take any of the following sample titles:

chiropractic doctor
chiropractor
DC (doctor of chiropractic)
doctor of chiropractic
doctor of chiropractic (DC)

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Marketing Jobs not only for StartUps But Companies Stuck With Traditional Marketing

Today's post is different. For the first time this is for employers. I'd like to echo the idea of hiring personnel for marketing jobs I read from Mashable, not only for startups but to companies that still have yet to explore online exposure.

Online Marketing Jobs Can Help Both StartUps & Traditional-Marketing Companies
Image from flickr

In the article, Ms. Anna Lindow enumerated five marketing professionals that startup should consider hiring namely:

• Copywriter
  
• Copyeditor
  
• Facebook Marketer
  
• SEO Consultant
  
• E-mail Marketing Specialist
  

I used to be a staff for an online marketing team. I have seen first hand the benefits of having an online presence. It can really do wonders for any company in terms of establishing its name, building reputation, strengthening ties with customers and investors and fundamentally enjoying additional revenue.

I hope that most companies realized that consumers are becoming more internet savvy and that having little or totally no online presence means losing ground to competitors who do. These five marketing positions when filled with the right people can help startups drop that tag immediately and be an established company amongst the big leaguers in their industry.

Companies engaged only in traditional marketing should also explore the possibilities online and start offering marketing jobs.

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Job & Livelihood Fair on Labor Day 2011 Nationwide, Over 30,000 Jobs To be Offered

In celebration of Labor Day on May 1, 2011, the Department of Labor and Employment is spearheading a nationwide job and livelihood fair in Metro Manila and 15 other regions of the country.

Job & Livelihood Fair - Labor Day 2011
Department of Labor & Employment

I blogged about this Labor day 2011 job fair previously but that time venues were still unannounced. Thankfully, the venues for the nationwide job fair has been released.

The main job fair will be held at the Rizal Park in Manila wherein 50 licensed private overseas recruiters will offer overseas jobs to Filipinos, joining 150 other employers.

Job fairs will also be held in the following SM SuperMalls in Metro Manila namely;

SM City Bicutan SM City Fairview SM City Manila SM City Marikina SM Center Muntinlupa SM City North Edsa SM City Novaliches

SM City San Lazaro SM City Sta. Mesa SM City Sucat SM Center Valenzuela SM Mall of Asia SM Southmall

DOLE's 16 regional offices will also conduct job and livelihood fairs that will provide many more opportunities to graduates and jobseekers at the following venues.

• Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) - SM Baguio and Baguio Convention Center
  
• Region 1 (Ilocos) - SM Rosales, Pangasinan
  
• Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) - Francisco L. Dy Coliseum, Cauayan, Isabela
  
• Region 3 (Central Luzon) - SM San Fernando, Pampanga and SM Baliwag, Bulacan
  
• Region 4A (CALABARZON) - SM Sta. Rosa, Laguna and SM Rosario, Cavite
  
• Region 4B (MIMAROPA) - Divine World College, Calapan City
  
• Region 5 (Bicol) - SM Naga City
  
• Region 6 (Western Visayas) - SM Iloilo and SM Bacolod
  
• Region 7 (Metro Cebu and Central Visayas) - SM Cebu City, Cebu International Convention Center, Abellana Sports Complex City, Cebu City and Macias Sports Complex, Dumaguete City
  
• Region 8 (Western Visayas) - Tacloban City Convetion Center
  
• Region 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) - Western Mindanao State University Gymnasium, Zamboanga City, and Gaisano Capital, Pagadian City
  
• Region 10 (Northern Mindanao) - SM Cagayan de Oro
  
• Region 11 (Davao Region) - SM Davao, Gaisano Mall Davao
  
• Region 12 (Central Mindanao) — KCC Mall General Santos
  
• CARAGA Region - DOLE Regional Office

Other SM SuperMalls that will also participate in the nationwide Job and Livelihood Fair are:

SM City Bacoor SM City Batangas SM City Calamba SM City Dasmarinas SM City Lipa

SM City Lucena SM City Marilao SM Center Molino SM City San Pablo SM City Taytay

DOLE and participating employers are looking to provide 30,000 job opportunities during this nationwide job fair on Labor Day 2011 celebration.

* List of SM Supermalls participating in the job fair seen from Manila Bulletin dated April 17, 2011 Classified Ads D Section.

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Sonographers

Sonographers are medical professionals that operate special equipment which directs high frequency sound waves into areas of a patient's body to generate an image for the assessment and diagnosis of various medical conditions.

A Sonographer performing ultrasound scan on a pregnant patient
Image from learnthat.com

We are all familiar with ultrasound scans that monitor pregnancies or determine the gender of the baby. It is just an specialized application of sonography dealing with obstetric and gynecology. Other uses of sonography and performed by sonographers are:

• abdominal sonography (images of the liver, kidneys, gallbladder, spleen and pancreas)
  
• neurosonography (images of the brain and the nervous system)
  
• breast sonography
  
• vascular/cardiac sonography
  

Medical sonographers perform some or all of the following duties:

• Operate ultrasound imaging equipment that transmits high frequency sound pulses through the body to produce images of those parts of the body requiring examination
  
• Monitor examination by viewing images on video screen, to evaluate quality and consistency of diagnostic images, and make adjustments to equipment, as required
  
• Record, store and process scanned images by using camera unit connected to ultrasound equipment
  
• Observe and care for patients throughout examinations to ensure patient safety and comfort
  
• Prepare examination reports for physicians to aid in the monitoring of pregnancies and the diagnosis of cardiac, abdominal, ophthalmic, vascular and other disorders
  
• Perform quality control checks on ultrasound equipment to ensure proper operation and perform minor repairs and adjustments as required
  
• May supervise and train student and other medical sonographers.
  
• Medical sonographers may specialize in abdominal, cardiac, cerebral, obstetrical and gynaecological, ophthalmic, intraluminal or peripheral vascular sonography. They may also specialize in adult or pediatric echocardiography or neurosonology.
  

Each country has its own policies regarding the practice of sonographers, usually implemented by accrediting institutions authorized by the government. It is best to consult with them when you are looking to practice as a sonographer in that country or looking to be hired as one.

Australia - Australasian Sonographers Accreditation Registry
Canada - Canadian Association of Registered Diagnostic Ultrasound Professionals
United States - American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) & Cardiovascular Credentialing International

Medical sonographers may take any of the following sample titles.

adult echocardiographer
cardiac sonographer
cardiac ultrasound technician
cardiac ultrasound technologist
chief diagnostic medical sonographer
diagnostic cardiac sonographer
diagnostic echography technician
diagnostic medical sonographer
diagnostic medical sonographer – military
diagnostic medical sonography instructor
diagnostic ultrasonography technician
diagnostic ultrasound supervisor
diagnostic ultrasound technician
diagnostic ultrasound technologist – medical
diagnostic ultrasound technologist – military
echocardiographer
echocardiography technician
echocardiography technologist
echocardiography technologist sonographer
echography technician
echography technologist
instructor, diagnostic medical sonography
medical sonographer
medical sonographer – military
medical sonographers supervisor
pediatric echocardiographer
RDMS (registered diagnostic medical sonographer)
registered diagnostic cardiac sonographer
registered diagnostic medical sonographer (RDMS)
registered technologist, ultrasound
registered ultrasound technologist
sonographer – medical
sonography technologist
student medical sonographer
student sonographer – medical
supervisor, diagnostic ultrasound
supervisor, medical sonographers
technician, diagnostic echography
technician, diagnostic ultrasonography
technician, diagnostic ultrasound
technician, echography
technician, ultrasonography
technician, ultrasound
technologist, echography
technologist, ultrasonography
technologist, ultrasound
ultrasonographer – medical
ultrasonography technician
ultrasonography technologist
ultrasound supervisor
ultrasound technician
ultrasound technologist
vascular sonographer

Filipino sonographers can check out at these approved job orders taken from the POEA database for overseas opportunities as a sonographer.

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April 2011 Visa Bulletin | 6 to 12 months processing period is no April Fools Day Joke

The Ministerial Instruction mandating the 6-12 months processing for Federal Skilled Worker program applications wasn't dated April 1. It isn't one of those April Fools Day jokes. It is real! Unfortunately, the Canadian Visa Office in Manila seems to have problem keeping up with the mandated processing period.

April 2011 Visa Bulletin | 6 to 12 months processing period is no April Fools Day Joke

What we have noticed is that Canadian Visa Office in Manila is giving priority to applications filed under the 2nd Ministerial Instruction (29 occupations). These applications are receiving assessment result faster than those who filed prior to them, those who filed under the 1st Ministerial Instruction (38 occupations). The same thing is true with the visa stamping and issuance. In the past, it only takes them about two weeks. But now it takes them around 2 to 3 months. Problem is some of those who submitted passports for visa stamping way back October 2010 are still waiting for the release of their visa, while those who have just recently submitted passports are processed within a couple of months. Please be informed, however, that we are doing something about this Canadian Embassy Manila Processing Delay. We are making a follow up regularly within a reasonable period.

1,000 cap for Pharmacists has been reached
The 1,000 cap for Pharmacists was already reached last month. That means they will no longer new applications for that job classification, unless there's an arranged employment. IF you're a pharmacist and wasn't able to made it, you may still have a chance. Plan ahead, get your documents ready for the next Ministerial Instruction. While at that, prepare a Canadian resume format and start sending applications to employers in Canada. With a certifed job offer, you may then be eligible to apply for Temporary Foreign Worker Program, Provincial Nominee Program or FSW through Arranged Employment Opinion. There's a guide on how to do it at the last part of this April 2011 Visa Bulletin.

New AINP Strategic Recruitment Stream
Temporary Foreign Workers in Alberta may now apply for permanent residence in Canada through Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) Strategic Recruitment Stream even without sponsorship from their employers. This will only apply to workers whose occupations classified under compulsary and optional trades. To qualify under the program, applicant must be presently working in Alberta.

May 2011 Canadian Election
There is a scheduled Federal Election in Canada on May 2, 2011. The result of this election may mean changes in the regulations again. That is if the Liberals win this time. The Conservatives introduced on 2008 a measure to modernize the immigration system. It's that bill giving the Immigration Minister the power to decide who will be prioritized under the Federal Skilled Worker program. The Liberals opposed it, arguing that such measure will be be shutting the door to immigrants. But the Conservatives managed to pass the bill and as a result, we now have 6-12 months processing period for selected occupations. As a consequence, however, those who filed before Feb 2008 are now being processed longer, about 6 years! The Liberals vowed to reverse the said measure if they win.

Visa Processing Status Monitor
For applications filed before February 2008, more patience is needed. The Canadian Visa Office in Manila has been stuck on November 2004 for several months now. Unfortunately, the only way to expedite the process is to find and Arranged Employment in Canada. Another option is to file your application to Centralized Intake Office once your occupation is included in the new priority list. If you are planning to take this option, it is best if you start preparing for the IELTS Examination and updating your documents.

Cetified Job Offer is the key
With a certified job offer from Canada, be it an Arranged Employment Opinion or a Labor Market Opinion, it will definitely speed up the process for you to legally live and work in Canada. But the question is, how to find an employer who will process a job offer for you? Here's a few tips:

1. In sending applications to Canadian Employers, be suse to send a Canada Resume format. Here's a Canada resume preparation guide.

2. Now that you already have a Canada resume format, the next step is to find job vacancies. But where? There are many job posting sites on the world wide web but there's also a number of scammers out there. So here's a a few list of Canada Jobs Portal that could be helpful.

3. More info on how to find jobs in Canada:

It is of course not easy to find jobs in Canada specially if you're just using the Internet. But this is an option that I know for a fact works. Here's a couple of proof:

Mr. Zedfrey Salazar - He attended one of our seminar schedules in Angeles City. He wasn't eligible at that time, due to lack in work experience. My suggestion was to look for employer in Canada. He did and is now working in Canada.

Mr. Mark Hernandez. He sent his resume for assessment. He wasn't eligible so I just told him to look for employer. He is now in Vancouver.

It is always a numbers game, the result will be determined by your efforts. Dreaming of a better quality life is one thing. Doing something to make it happen is another thing.

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Dental Assistants [NOC 3411]

Dental assistants assist dentists during the examination and treatment of patients and perform clerical functions. Dental assistants work primarily in dentists' offices, or they may be employed by government and educational institutions.

Many dental assistants learn their skills on the job, although an increasing number are trained in dental-assisting programs; most programs take 1 year or less to complete.

Dental Assistants
Image taken from dentalassistantjob.org

Dental assistants perform some or all of the following duties:

• Prepare patients for dental examination and assist the dentist during the examination
  
• Sterilize and maintain instruments and equipment
  
• Prepare dental instruments and filling materials
  
• Educate patients concerning oral hygiene
  
• Schedule patient appointments and record dental procedures performed
  
• Invoice patients for dental services
  
• Order dental and office supplies
  
• Take and develop X-rays
  
• Polish teeth and clinical crowns and apply fluoride and sealant
  
• Take preliminary impressions for diagnostic casts
  
• Fabricate temporary crowns and restorations.
  

Dental assistants may take any of the following sample titles:

certified dental assistant
certified intra-oral dental assistant
dental assistant
dental clinical assistant
dental clinical assistant – military
intra-oral dental assistant
licensed dental assistant
preventive dental assistant
registered dental assistant

In most provinces in Canada, there are two levels of dental assistants: Level I – chair-side assistant and Level II – intra-oral assistant. Progression from Level I to Level II is possible with appropriate training and licensure.

Dental assistants in USA

In the United States, most states do not require formal education or training to become entry-level dental assistants. But there is the Commission on Dental Accreditation which approved 281 dental-assisting training programs in 2009 for those who wish to pursue further education related to being a dental assistant.

Licensure of dental assistants greatly vary among states. The Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) credential, administered by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB), is recognized or required in more than 37 States.

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Labor Day 2011 Job Fair, WHERE?

I'm sorry that I am a little bit annoyed.

I'd really like to help the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) get the word out about the Job and Livelihood Fair which is going to be the centerpiece event of the Labor Day 2011 celebrations this coming May 1, 2011.

But I find the information dissemination about it wanting.

Job & Livelihood Fair - Labor Day 2011
Department of Labor & Employment

DOLE, in a press release, is encouraging job seekers to pre-register online for the nationwide job fair. So, it will be nationwide. But where? Is it so hard to put the specific venues where these job seekers would go to on the day of the job fair? Or are the venues still to be determined?

In another press release, DOLE says that Labor Day 2011 is now on Facebook & Twitter but did not provide live links that will lead to those respective webpages. I feel that job seekers who use the internet looking for job opportunites and job fairs can get served better if they can get the specific information in a few clicks of the mouse.

Is it just me, asking too much? Or the DOLE really needs to improve their press releases and ensure that they provide specific information faster for job seekers?

Interested Filipino job seekers are encouraged to pre-register here. And hopefully, they will be informed where to go to for the job fair very soon.

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Speech-Language Pathologists & Audiologists [NOC 3141]

Speech-language Pathologists and Audiologists diagnose, evaluate and treat human communication disorders including hearing, speech, language and voice disorders.

Speech-language pathologists and Audiologists are employed in hospitals, community and public health centres, extended care facilities, day clinics, rehabilitation centres and educational institutions, or may work in private practice.

Interestingly, one licensed speech pathologist, the late Sam Chwat, used the knowledge he gained to become a famous accent trainer in Hollywood.

Image from mysomeday.com

Speech-language pathologists perform some or all of the following duties:

• Administer tests and examinations and observe patients to diagnose and evaluate speech, voice, resonance, language, cognitive-linguistic and swallowing disorders
  
• Plan and implement remedial programs to correct speech, language and voice disorders
  
• Establish group and personalized care plans working as a member of an interdisciplinary team
  
• Conduct research on speech and other communication disorders and on the development and design of diagnostic procedures and devices
  
• May instruct students and other health care personnel.
  

Audiologists perform some or all of the following duties:

• Administer audiometric tests and examinations to diagnose and evaluate the degree and type of patients' hearing impairment
  
• Plan and implement habilitation/rehabilitation programs for patients, including selection, fitting and adjustment of hearing aid devices, teaching speech (lip) reading and providing counselling
  
• Establish personalized care plans working as a member of an interdisciplinary team
  
• Conduct research related to hearing
  
• May instruct students and other health care personnel.
  

Speech-language Pathologists and Audiologists may take any of the following sample titles:

amplification audiologist
audiologist
audiologist, research
audiology clinician
audiology specialist
certified audiologist
certified hearing aid audiologist
clinical audiologist
community audiologist
community speech-language pathologist
diagnostic audiologist
dispensing audiologist
educational audiologist
educational speech-language pathologist
industrial audiologist
logopedist
pathologist, speech
pathologist, speech-language
pediatric audiologist
research audiologist
specialist, audiology
speech and hearing therapist
speech pathologist
speech therapist
speech-language clinician
speech-language pathologist
speech-language pathologist clinician
speech-language pathologist researcher
therapist, speech
therapist, speech and hearing

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Jobs in Qatar for Filipinos

Jobs in Qatar for Filipinos await. That's practically what Vice President Jejomar Binay reported after going there last weekend.

As Presidential Adviser for Overseas Filipino Workers’ (OFW) Concerns, VP Binay visited the rich emirate Qatar, currently employing some 2, 000 overseas Filipino workers.

Image from Qatarembassy.net

According to Wikipedia, Qatar has the world's largest per capita production and proven reserves of both oil and natural. Its economy grew the fastest in the world in 2010. In 2022, it will be the host country for the World Cup.

It is nice to learn that overseas Filipino workers there have established a solid reputation for being hardworking, disciplined, highly skilled and very professional coming from Crown Prince Sheik Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani himself.

A quick reference to POEA revealed that approved job orders for deployment to Qatar are plenty and varied. In March 2011 alone, jobs in Qatar for Filipinos include among many others:

• Administration jobs - accountants, clerks, secretaries, document controllers, receptionists
  
• Engineering jobs - mechanical, electrical, civil, petroleum
  
• Technical jobs - electrical, mechanical
  
• Skilled jobs - drivers, painters, mechanics, heavy equipment operators, welders
  
• General jobs - household helpers, general cleaners, storekeepers
  
• Medical jobs - nurses, optometrist, optical technician
  

This is welcome news for Filipinos looking for work abroad, especially in Qatar. As we now all know, work abroad opportunities decreased in large part because of on-going political strife on several countries and also because of more strict immigration and employment policies in others.

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Household Helpers in Cyprus

One of the in demand jobs in Cyprus are household helpers or household service workers. Cyprus is a high income Eurasian island country and a popular tourist spot in the Mediterranean Sea. Household helpers include domestic helpers, housemaids and houseboys.

A quick check from the POEA website revealed the following approved job orders for household helpers to be deployed in Cyprus this March 2011.

Important NOTES:

These job orders were taken from the POEA website on the day indicated.
Please verify with the agency if the job orders are still active or not.
Beware of illegal recruiters. Read about illegal recruitment here.
Report to the POEA anything that may involve illegal recruitment immediately.

Another quick check from the POEA revealed the following status of the three recruitment agencies listed in the approved job orders for household helpers in Cyprus:

AL-SIQ INTERNATIONAL PLACEMENT AND MANPOWER SERVICES, INC.
Private Employment Agency
RM.303 CABRERA BLDG I #130 TIMOG AVE Q.C.
Tel No/s : 9215094/ 4118881
Email Address : al-siq@pacific.net.ph
Website : www.al-siq.com
Official Representative : DAMASO A. MUTIA
Status : Good Standing
License Validity : 11/23/2010 to 11/22/2014

JEDI PLACEMENT AGENCY INCORPORATED
(FOR GUILLEN MGT & SVCS INC)
Private Employment Agency
RMS 308, 309 & 310 TM KALAW CTR, 667-A TM KALAW ST ERMITA, MANILA
Tel No/s :
Email Address : JEDI_PLACEMENT@YAHOO.COM
Website : None
Official Representative : MR JOSE UMLAS
Status : Good Standing
License Validity : 11/28/2010 to 11/27/2014

HERBERTS` INTERNATIONAL INC.
Private Employment Agency
R301&405 ERMITA CTR BLG ARQUIZA ST COR ALHAMBRA ST ERMITA, MANILA
Tel No/s : 5284586 TELEFAX
Email Address : herbert`sinternationalinc.@gmail.com
Website : None
Official Representative : MR HERBERT RAYALA
Status : Good Standing
License Validity : 2/23/2008 to 2/22/2012


Apart from the demand, one reason to work in Cyprus as a household helper is the relatively higher pay compared to the more known countries for such kind of workers namely, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Cyprus recently increased minimum salary of household service workers from €429 TO €456 a month (US$567 to US$603) retroactively implemented from January 1, 2011. Conversion rate I found via Google is 1 Euro = 61.57 Philippine Peso which translate to salary range of Php 26,413.53 to Php 28,075.92 .

Where as the minimum allowable wage (MAW) for foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong is HK$ 3, 580 per month. Conversion rate I found via Google is 1 Hong Kong $ = 5.58 Philippine Peso which translate to a minimum allowable wage of Php 19,976.4 . While in Singapore, a domestic worker pay ranges from S$ 350 - 550. Conversion rate I found via Google is 1 Singapore $ = 34.42 Philippine Peso which translate to a pay range of Php 12,047- Php 18,931 .

These are just comparisons based on my immediate research on the internet and subject to change especially with forex conversion. Plus, there may also be deductions. The point is just that household helpers in Cyprus gets a relatively higher minimum pay.

Last year, I posted in this website a POEA advisory about entertainer jobs in Cyprus that may lead to forced prostitution. I think that it is wise to assume that the same bad people may target female household helpers.

Thus, I advise applicants, especially applicants for housemaids, to be diligent in verifying all information about the legitimacy of the position, of the recruiting agency and of the prospective employer.

To those who will be successfully employed and deployed to Cyprus, it would be also wise to regularly inform your relatives, friends or agency about your condition and treatment there starting from your arrival.

I hope that my dear kababayans will find success in Cyprus.

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