Are You a Filipino Wanting to Work Abroad? Check out 76 OFW Friendly Countries identified by POEA

If you are one of the many Filipinos dreaming of gaining a highly compensated employment overseas, the Philippine Overseas and Employment Administration (POEA) listed 76 destinations that it considers "OFW friendly".

GMAnews.tv reported that POEA has identified the following 76 nations to be OFW friendly.

Albania Angola Argentina Australia ustria Azerbaijan Belgium Belize Bolivia Bosnia-Herzegovina Brazil Brunei Canada Chile Columbia Costa Rica Cyprus Czech Republic Ecuador Estonia Finland France Germany Greece Guam

Guatemala Guyana Hong Kong Hungary Indonesia Ireland Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Kenya Laos Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxemburg Macau Malaysia Maldives Marshall Islands Mexico Myanmar Namibia New Zealand Northern Marianas Oman

Palau Paraguay Peru Poland Portugal Romania Russian Federation San Marino Slovak Republic Slovenia South Africa South Korea Spain Sri Lanka Suriname Sweden Switzerland Taiwan The Netherlands Turkey UK USA Uruguay Venezuela Vietnam

POEA named these nations based on three requirements provided for in RA 10022 (the amended Migrant Workers Act). Section 3 of RA 10022 that the Philippines will allow deployment if the host country:

• Has existing labor and social laws protecting the rights of workers;
• Is a signatory to and/or a ratifier of multilateral conventions, declarations or resolutions relating to the protection of workers; and
• Has concluded a bilateral agreement or arrangement with the government on the protection of the rights of OFWs.

The list does not contain the more known OFW deployment destinations such as Saudi Arabia, UAE(Dubai) and our southeast Asian neighbor, Singapore. Exclusion from the list does not mean banning of deployment.

Also, a number of countries from this list, can not be found in POEA's database list of countries with approved job orders. The POEA needs to work on updating them.

For me the list signifies that OFWs are a recognized workforce worldwide. I guess POEA just wanted to point out that there other countries beside the Middle East nations where a lot of tensions are going on at present.

OFWs should consider peace and stability when choosing a country to work for. And this list of 76 OFW friendly countries can serve as reference for them.

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Do's and Dont's in UAE for OFWs

Overseas Filipino workers in Dubai or UAE should conform to the prevailing customs and laws of the emirates.

Among the do’s and don’ts in the UAE are:

• Bathing suits are OK only in hotel pools and private beaches
• Men are also expected to dress decently with no bold overtones
• Absolutely no cross-dressing
• Holding hands and kissing are unacceptable and can lead to arrest
• During Ramadan, the Muslim fasting month, people are expected to abstain from alcohol, dancing, chewing gum, smoking and singing in public during the day
• Eat/drink with your right hand as the left hand is considered to be unhygienic in this part of the world
• Don’t show the soles of your feet or shoes as this implies disrespect to others — that you are comparing the person to soles or ‘dirt’/’trash’
• If a Muslim is praying, do not walk in front of him or stare at him
• If you have not accepted Islam as your religion, take prior permission before entering a mosque
• Do not point fingers at others as this is considered disrespectful
• Taxi passengers should avoid sitting in the front seat of a taxicab; “small talk" can be misinterpreted as over-friendliness or even a form of propositioning by taxi drivers
• Prescription and over-the-counter medications are often considered illegal or a controlled substance
• Keep your medicines in their original containers and bring a letter from your doctor as well as a copy of your prescription with you
• Possession of illegal drugs, or the presence of an illegal substance in a blood or urine test, clothing, body, or in your luggage, could lead to arrest
• Don’t drink and drive; Alcohol is served at bars in major hotels but is intended for hotel guests
• Drinking or possession of alcohol without a Ministry of Interior liquor permit is illegal and may lead to fines and imprisonment
• Avoid making obscene hand gestures, using inappropriate (foul) language to a police officer

Source: GMAnews.tv

First time OFWs in UAE can learn more of the do's and don'ts with the planned released of a handbook. A 50-page passport size handbook has been prepared by Filcom, a community group in Dubai and the northern emirates. This bilinggual(English & Filipino) handbook will serve as a guide for Filipinos should behave while in UAE. 10, 000 copies of this handbook will be printed and will be distributed on June 10,2011.

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May 2011 Civil Engineering Licensure Examination Results

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) has already released the May 2011 Civil Engineering Licensure Examinations Results wherein 1,195 out of 3,117 examinees passed the Civil Engineer Licensure Examination given by the Board of Civil Engineering in the cities of Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo and Legazpi this May 2011.

Read more about the release of exam results by PRC here.

Find the top 10 newly licensed civil engineers of this batch of passers here. You can check out the names of your relatives and friends who took the exam if they passed with this complete list of the May 2011 Civil Engineering Licensure Examination results.

As newly licensed civil engineers, I congratulate and wish them good luck and I hope that they give their best in designing and constructing a better world to live in.

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Filipino Seafarers Can Look for Better Days

The future looks bright for Filipino seafarers because of initiatives that could increase the wage they will get and upgrade their professional skills.

The minimum wage of seafarers stand to get an increase as the International Labor Organization saw its necessity.

An international agreement has been reached on an increase in the ILO Minimum Basic Wage for seafarers at a meeting of the Joint Maritime Commission Sub-Committee on Wages of Seafarers in Geneva on 26-27 April.

The current ILO minimum basic wage for an AB covering 48 hours of work will increase from US$545 to $555 on 1 January 2012, to $568 on 1 January 2013 and eventually to $585 on 31 December 2013.

- from Nautilus International

Filipino seafarers have already established a solid reputation in maritime service in terms of competence, professionalism and dedication. International shipping companies who would prefer Filipino seamen are expected to adhere to internationally accepted laws and standards governing the industry.

On the local front, the government appear serious in supporting our seafaring industry.

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Director-General Cayetano W. Paderanga Jr. has announced that the national government is committed in further developing the professional skills of Filipino seafarers.

He said this is being done by investing in world-class training modules and facilities which are vital to improving the expertise of the country’s mariners.

- from Positive News Media

One of the current problems faced by local seafarers is the serious issue of piracy in Somalia.

Among the measures undertaken by the government is to make arrangements with ship principals and manning agencies for vesselto travelalong a safety corridor and to adopt best management practicess as a deterrence to piracy attacks.

The Philippine government has likewise taken up the issue of maritime safety and security in the Gulf of Aden and in the Indian Ocean before the United Nations and other international organizations.

Also, the UN Security Council continues with its Anti-piracy campaign specifically against armed-robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia.

These things make me feel that Filipino Seafarers can look ahead to better days in the near future.

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May 2011 Visa Bulletin - 3rd Ministerial Instruction Coming Soon

Within a couple of months from now, the new list of priority occupations would be made available. Are you now ready to file your application? Remember that under the current policy, Citizenship and Immigration Canada is imposing a cap on the number of applications to be accepted per occupation. Here's what you should do, if you haven't done yet:

1. Schedule your IELTS examination before June 30, 2011. Remember that IELTS Exam Result is needed to file your application and it takes about a couple of weeks to get the result after the examination.

2. Fill up the application forms. You can do this online by logging on to http://clients.go2canada.com. If you signed up a consultancy agreement with us, you should have your username and password by now. Check your spam folder in case you did not receive it.

3. Get your documents ready. Here's the list of requirements

If your occupation is in the current list of 29 in-demand occupations, you only have until June 30, 2011 to send your application to Centralized Intake Office (CIO). There is no guarantee that your occupation would still be included in the new list.

Canadian Election Results
The results of the recently concluded Canadian Federal Election paved the way to a majority Conservative government. Stephen Harper will remain the Prime Minister and no election will be conducted in the next for years. What's in it for Canada's Immigration Program?

1. This would mean the Immigration Minister would still have the power to decide on who will be prioritized under the Federal Skilled Worker program. The fate of Canada's immigration program will depend on the next Ministerial Instructions. It is expected that on or before July 1, 2011, the 3rd Ministerial Instruction will be issued. It will determine the priority occupations and how many applications will be accepted for the next twelve months. It will also state the mandated processing period for the new applications. But we all know by now that there's a terrible delay in visa processing for applications filed under the 1st Minieterial Instruction.

2. This could also mean that the proposed changes in FSW points system would be implemented soon.

Manitoba Strategic Initiative
So you took the IELTS Exam but your occupation was not included in the new list, what now?

If your occupation is not in the list, you may still be eligible to apply under the Federal Skilled Worker program if have an Arranged Employment in Canada. You may also be eligible under Provincial Nominee Program if somebody (employer, relatives, friends) is willing to sponsor you.

Another alternative iss the Manitoba Strategic Initiative. It's a bit costly but under this program, you don't need an employer or a relative to sponsor you. All you need is to have an exploratory visit to Maniba and get interviewd by MPNP Office. If you passed the interview, you will be invited by Manitoba PNP Office to apply under the program with priority processing. IELTS Exam is also required under this program.

1,ooo cap for Restaurant Managers has been reached
As of April 19, 2011, the 1,000 cap for Restaurant Managers has been reached already. No new applications under this job classification until June 30, 2011. Will Restaurant Managers be included in the new list of priority occupations? We don't know that yet.

Visa Processing Status Monitor
The Canadian Visa Office in Manila is yet to finish applications filed in 2004, currently processing Nov 2004 applicants. This is for applications filed before February 2008.

For those who filed between February 2008 to June 2010 under the first Ministerial Instruction and are still waiting for the notice from the Canadian Visa Office Manila, your patience is needed. It looks like the Canadian Visa Office in Manila is yet to cope up with the backlogs. There's no cap on the number of applications to be received under the first Ministerial Instruction. It was only implemented starting June 26, 2010. They may have received a huge volume of applications and that may explain the backlogs. Please avoid sending unnecessary and repetitive follow up to Visa Office, it will just make the situation worst. But you can always check your application status online.

May 2011 Visa Bulletin - 3rd Ministerial Instruction Coming Soon

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A Hotel Job in Macau for You, but wait....

When someone approaches you and offers a position for hotel jobs in Macau, do not quickly daydream about earning a good salary and generous tips from clients inside a luxurious casino hotel. At least not yet.

Ensure first that the hotel job in Macau is legitimate and that it is being offered by a person authorized by the hotel company.

Macau at Night
Image from flickr by Allan Siew

The Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG), a leading developer and operator of integrated entertainment and resort facilities who operates a casino hotel in Macau, informed the Philippine Consulate about cases of recruitment fraud. Illegal recruiters pretending to be appointed agents of the said hotel and casino chain operator are promising hotel jobs to OFWs.

The only authorized recruitment agency by GEG in the Philippines is IKON Solutions Asia, Inc. Job offers made under the name of GEG should go through IKON. Otherwise, you have been duped by an illegal recruiter.

Here are the contact details of IKON Solutions Asia, Inc.

Makati Office
7th Floor Athenaeum Building
160 LP Leviste Street, Salcedo Village
Makati City, Philippines 1227

Tel: +632 840 3252
Fax: +632 840 5829
E-mail
(Employers): contact@ikonlink.com
(Jobseekers): jobs@ikonlink.com

Cebu Office
2nd Floor, RKD Building,
A.S. Fortuna Street, Banilad Mandaue City,
Cebu, Philippines 60147

Tel/Fax: +6332 505 6429
E-mail: ikoncebu@ikonlink.com
Branch Office Authority No.:
0-13-046 (LB) 001B


I found these contact details from ikonlink.com. Any one offered a hotel job in Macau in behalf of Galaxy Entertainment Group should verify with IKON if the job opportunity is legit, authorized and still open.

Overseas Filipino Workers, especially those just starting to be one, should be discerning and very vigilant against illegal recruiters. An extra diligence in knowing more about the position, the company you will work for and the recruitment agency will help protect you from being a victim.


*** Reported on gmanews.tv

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Search Engineering Jobs at Google

Search Engineering jobs in Google is probably a dream job to most technologically inclined job seekers.

For someone like me, trying my best to come up with an informative and relevant content here and in other blogs and have that content get picked up by search engines - specifically Google - it is a great dream to work on the other side. It certainly is a blast to contribute and help internet searchers find the information they looking for. And for the fun of it, giving those who aim to work the system and cheat the algorithm a hell of a time.

Here's a video of personnel working on Google Search.

Only a few would scoff at all those positives enumerated by these personnel. Admittedly, working for this techonology and internet giant, is a dream job for most job seekers.

So, if you think you are qualified and can handle search engineering jobs at Google, give them a visit here.

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289 Technical Assistant Jobs in Taiwan

Under the Special Hiring Program for Taiwan (SHPT) classification, INOTERA MEMORIES INC. in Taiwan is in urgent need for 289 Technical Assistants. For the first batch, the company will hire 120 - 50 male and 70 female - applicants.

This job vacancy is seen at the POEA website and posted here to inform more Filipinos looking for overseas jobs in Taiwan.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Male Applicants

• College graduate major in engineering, preferably mechanical and electrical background
• 25 - 35 years old
• Height: 155 - 175 cm, Weight: 55 - 88 kg
• Salary: NT$ 17,880/month
• Job Description: Maintenance and repair of wafer machine

Female Applicant

• College graduate (4 Year Course)
• 20 - 35 years old
• Height: 150 cm, Weight: 40 kg above
• Salary: NT$ 17,880/month
• Job Description: Operate machine and move materials of semiconductor

Additional information:

1. Former INOTERA workers will be given priority by the employer.
2. Age limitation does not apply to those who previously worked at INOTERA
3. College level could be considered if they have work experience related to motor and machinery and with experience in semi-conductors.

Qualified applicants may personally submit a detailed resume with job description, school credentials, employment certificates, passport copy and two (2) pieces 2x2 recent picture at;

Manpower Rgistery Division
Window M Ground floor
Blas F. Ople Building (Formerly POEA Bldg.)
Ortigas Avenue corner EDSA
Mandaluyong City

Or they may register online at www.poea.gov.ph / www.eregister.poea.gov.ph

Submission is extended up to May 20, 2011.

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Paramedics And Ambulance Attendants [NOC 3234]

Paramedics and Ambulance Attendants are group of workers who administer pre-hospital emergency medical care to patients with injuries or medical illnesses and transport them to hospitals or other medical facilities for further medical care.

Talking about paramedics, Peter Petrelli comes to mind. He is a major character in the successful TV series, Heroes. Aside from having extraordinary powers, he is a paramedic in that show. In the opening episode of its final season, Peter was using his powers in his paramedic duties, abling him to save so many lives.

Other than in that show, Paramedics and Ambulance attendants are not a glamorous job. Emergency services are on call 24/7 so they have irregular working hours. And every situation is almost always a matter of life and death.

Paramedics & Ambulance Attendants in Action
Image from ambulancevisibility.com

Paramedics and Ambulance Attendants perform some or all of the following duties:

• Assess extent of injuries or medical illnesses of trauma victims, patients with respiratory disease and stress, overdose and poisoning victims, industrial accident victims and other ill or injured individuals to determine emergency medical treatment
• Administer pre-hospital emergency care, such as oxygen therapy, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), spinal immobilization, bandaging and splinting, to patients
  Establish and maintain intravenous treatment (IV), apply adjunctive equipment for ventilation and circulation complications, administer medications and provide other advanced emergency treatment to patients
• Transport patients by air, land or water to hospital or other medical facility for further medical care
• Document and record nature of injuries and illnesses and treatment provided
• Assist hospital personnel with provision of medical treatment, if necessary
• Maintain ambulances and emergency care equipment and supplies
• May train and supervise other workers in this unit group
• May assist with triage of emergency patients.

Paramedics and Ambulance Attendants may also be called by any of the following titles;

advanced care paramedic
advanced emergency medical assistant
advanced life support attendant
advanced life support co-ordinator
advanced life support paramedic
ambulance attendant
ambulance attendant trainee
ambulance attendants supervisor
ambulance driver
ambulance driver-attendant
ambulance services field supervisor
ambulance services supervisor
ambulance services unit chief
ambulance technician
assistant paramedic
assistant, emergency medical care
attendant, advanced life support
attendant, ambulance
attendant, first aid – paramedical
attendant, infant transport
chief ambulance attendant
critical care paramedic
drilling rig medic
drilling rig medical technician
drilling rig medical warden
drilling rig medical worker
driver, ambulance
EMA (emergency medical attendant)
EMCA (emergency medical care attendant)
emergency medical assistant
emergency medical attendant (EMA)
emergency medical care assistant
emergency medical care attendant (EMCA)
emergency medical care technician, newborns
emergency medical responder
emergency medical technician (EMT)
emergency medical technician, paramedic (EMT – P)
emergency medical technologist, paramedic
emergency paramedic
EMT – P (emergency medical technician paramedic)
EMT (emergency medical technician)
field supervisor, ambulance services
first aid attendant – paramedical
infant transport attendant
intermediate care paramedic
medic, drilling rig
medical assistant (paramedic) – military
medical care technician, newborns
medical technician
medical technician, drilling rig
medical warden, drilling rig
newborn emergency medical care technician
newborn medical care technician
paramedic
paramedic worker
primary care paramedic
registered emergency medical aid
registered emergency paramedic
search and rescue technician – military
supervisor ambulance attendants
supervisor, ambulance services
technician, ambulance
unit chief, ambulance services

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More Job Fairs for Filipinos

As I am currently doing my own job search, I came across an ad about another job fair that Filipino jobseekers like me can attend to look for employment opportunities.

Job FEST & Career FAIR 2011

May 9 & 10, 2011
10 AM to 6 PM
Glorietta Activity Center
Ayala Center, Makati City


List of Exhibitors for this job fair, include, among others:

ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp.
Accenture, Inc.
ACME BPO
Aegis Peoplesupport
Ascend Worldwide Marketing Solutions, Inc.
Diversified Technology Solutions International, Inc.
Eperformax Contact Centers Corp.
IBM Daksh Business Process Services, Inc.
Interglobe Technologies Phils., Inc.
Jobstreet.com
Marie France Group of Companies
Microsourcing Philippines, Inc.
Stream Global Services
Sykes Asia
Teletech Customer Care Management
Ten Knots Development Corporation/El Nido Resorts

For more info, check out the website of the organizer of this job fair. Proceed to www.primetradeasia.com or e-mail them at info(at)primetradeasia.com .

I haven't experienced being hired on the spot in any job fairs I attended. But I did get my share of interview schedules out of them.

How about you? Can you share your experiences in attending job fairs?

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Nurse Aides, Orderlies & Patient Service Associates [NOC 3413]

Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates assist nurses, hospital staff and physicians in the basic care of patients. They are employed in hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care facilities.

Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates perform some or all of the following duties:

• Answer call signals; supply and empty bed pans; bathe, dress and groom patients; serve meal trays, feed or assist in feeding of patients and assist patients with menu selection; lift, turn or massage patients; shave patients prior to operations; supervise patients' exercise routines, set up and provide leisure activities for patients, and accompany patients on outside recreational activities; and perform other duties related to patient care
• Take patients' blood pressure, temperature and pulse; report or record fluid intake and output; observe or monitor patients' status and document patient care on charts; collect specimens such as urine, faeces or sputum; administer suppositories, colonic irrigations and enemas and perform other procedures as directed by nursing and hospital staff
• Transport patients by wheelchair or stretcher for treatment or surgery
• Carry messages, reports, requisitions and specimens from one department to another
• Make beds and maintain patients' rooms
• Maintain inventory of supplies
• May perform maintenance tasks such as assisting with the set-up and maintenance of traction equipment, cleaning or sterilizing equipment, maintaining and repairing equipment, and assembling, setting-up and operating job-related equipment.

Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates may be called by any of the following sample titles:

aide, emergency room
aide, health care
aide, hospital
aide, hospital ward
aide, medical
aide, neuropsychiatric
aide, nursery – hospital
aide, operating room
aide, patient care
aide, psychiatric
aide, special care – nursing
aide, surgical
anesthetic attendant – hospital
attendant, hospital
attendant, nursing
attendant, nursing home
attendant, personal care – medical
attendant, special care facility
emergency room aide
environmental assistant – medical
environmental support person – medical
first aid attendant – emergency
geriatric aide
geriatric health care attendant
health care aide
health care assistant
hospice worker
hospital aide
hospital attendant
hospital orderly
hospital porter
hospital ward aide
hostel service aide – medical
institutional aide
long term care aide
medical aide
medical orderly
neuropsychiatric aide
nurse aide
nursery aide – hospital
nursing assistant (non-registered)
nursing attendant
nursing home attendant
nursing orderly
nursing services aide
operating room aide
orderly
patient care aide
patient care assistant
patient care associate
patient service aide
patient service assistant
patient service associate
patient service attendant
patient service worker
personal care aide – medical
personal care attendant – medical
personal care provider – medical
personal support aide – medical
psychiatric aide
registered care aide
resident care aide – medical
resident companion – medical
respite care aide
service assistant – medical
service associate – medical
service attendant – medical
special care aide – nursing
special care facility attendant
special care worker – medical
support services assistant – medical
surgical aide
unit aide – medical
unit assistant – medical
unit support technician – medical
ward aide – medical


Nurse Aide jobs overseas for Filipinos courtesy of approved job orders by POEA this April 2011.

It is noticeable that MEGA MANPOWER CORPORATION is deploying nurse aides to Saudi Arabia. Here are details about this agency from the POEA database.

MEGA MANPOWER CORPORATION
Landbased Agency
RM 401 & 502 GEDISCO TERRACE 1148 ROXAS BLVD MANILA
Tel No/s : 5246636/ 5220185/ 5220149/ 5220152/ 5246040
Email Address : megamanpower@hotmail.com
Website : None
Official Representative : MR MARIO S CHUA
Status : Good Standing
License Validity : 3/30/2008 to 3/29/2012


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.

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