• My wife’s recruitment agency wants us to pay 50 thousand pesos as placement fee. Is this legal?

-          The legal placement fee to be collected by licensed recruitment agencies from applicants for overseas jobs must be equivalent to one month salary of the worker as stipulated in the employment contract. The amount, however, does not include documentation and processing costs.

-          Documentation costs include fees for passport, NBI/Police clearance, medical examinations, medicare premium, trade tests, authentication, birth certificate. Processing costs include visa, POEA processing fee, and OWWA membership fee to be paid by the employer.

•        Our company wants to hire Filipino workers for our overseas projects. What are the requirements before we can recruit the workers?

-          Only entities licensed by the Department of Labor and Employment through the Philippine Overseas Employ­ment Administration may recruit Filipino workers for employment overseas. A foreign company may therefore hire Filipino workers by engaging the services of a licensed recruitment agency in the Philippines.

•        My husband is an OFW My children and I want to go to the place where he is work­ing. Do we have to pay for the travel tax?

-          The family of an overseas Filipino worker may avail of a reduced travel tax when they go abroad while the OFW has an existing employment contract. The reduced travel tax certificate is issued by the Department of Tourism. Call (02) 524-7141 loc. 109 or visit them at the Ground Floor, Room 117, Revenue Depart­ment, Department of Tourism Building, T.M. Kalaw, Malate, Manila.

•        My son wants to withdraw his application from an agency because it has failed to deploy him after so many months now. Can we claim for reimbursement of my expenses?

-          Yes, you can claim for reimbursement of placement fee, documentation and processing expenses from the agency if deployment did not happen without your fault. You may file an administrative case against the recruitment agency through POEA’s Legal Assistance Division.

•        My wife’s contract was for 2 years but my employer dismissed her after 3 months of work. Can we sue for breach of contract and claim for unpaid wages.  Where shall I file the case?

-          You may sue your employer and its agent if you were dismissed without valid reasons. Money arising from employer-employee relationship such as unpaid wages, breach of contract or illegal dismissal may be filed with the Migrant Worker’s Desk of the National Labor Relations Commission in Quezon City or in NLRC’s Regional Arbitration Branch in the region you reside.

•        My husband is spending his vacation in the Philippines and will go back employer  after one month. Does he have to go through POEA processing again?

-          No, he need not go through the whole process again. The employer and employment contra already verified. As a returning overseas Filipino worker or “balik-manggagawa” all that needs to I Is secure an overseas employment certificate (OEC) at the POEA Balik-Manggagawa Processing I regional centers and satellite offices and some Philippine Overseas Labor Offices to enable OFWs to the country again and avail of the same privileges such as exemption from travel tax and airport fee.

•        I was hired as a consultant in facilitating the documentation of immigrant being recruited for employment in US hospitals. Do we have to secure a license for the with immigrant workers?

-          Yes, you need to secure a license from POEA if your immigration consultancy and other similar en- not limit your assistance to processing and facilitation in the issuance of immigrant visa but will engage in the recruitment and placement of workers, whether on worker’s visa or employment-based immigration visa, without a license or authority issued by POEA, you shall be subjected to prosecution for illegal recruitment  and such other appropriate action as may be necessary pursuant to the pertinent provision RA 8042 and its implementing rules and regulation (MC #10).

Source: www.poea.gov.ph

Technorati Tags: ofw, Ofw Frequently Asked Questions

According to Xoom’s website: sending money abroad with them is easy. With the Xoom.com money transfer service, you can send money worldwide from any Internet-enabled computer to friends and family in more than 44 countries. You can have funds withdrawn directly from your U.S. bank account to fund the money transfer or pay using major credit cards.

Recipients will be able to pick up the money in cash, have the money directly deposited into their bank account, or delivered to their door. This groundbreaking new service according to Xoom provides cash deliveries in six hours or less to a recipient’s home in different countries like the Philippines seven days a week, at no additional cost. Super fast delivery is also provided to most other provinces Monday through Saturday.

According to Xoom, there is no extra charge for the rush door-to-door delivery service. With Xoom.com, customers can send up to $2,999 to the Philippines for only $4.99 when paying with a United States bank account for Peso payout.

Xoom Fees Compared to Western Union:

Xoom Fees

Western Union fees were published on its website as of July 30, 2010, and are for California residents; fees may vary for residents of other states. Fees shown are for our lowest priced cash pickup service compared to Western Union’s lowest priced cash pickup service.

*In addition to the transfer fee, Xoom may also generate revenue when it changes your dollars into a foreign currency.

According to the study released last June 18, 2010 by the Inter-American Dialogue (IAD) the premier U.S. center for analyzing remittance trends and services, measuring 16 money transfer indicators, ranked Xoom.com as the best company for sending money transfers to Latin America and the Caribbean, outperforming 38 other leading U.S.-based money transfer companies. Xoom.com also received the highest score for customer satisfaction.

Here’s How Xoom Works

Here are the simple steps to send money to family and friends abroad and to purchase goods from international merchants by using Xoom.

1. Simply enter your contact information, your recipient’s information and the amount you want to send.

- Xoom protects your personal information, and share it with our partners only for the purposes of completing your money transfer.

2. Select a delivery method.

- Your recipient can easily pick up the money, have it delivered, or have it deposited directly into their bank account. There are different delivery methods per country.

3. Select a payment method.

- To be able to fund your money transfer just enter your bank account, credit card, or PayPal information. Xoom uses state-of-the-art technology to keep your financial information secure.

4. Let your recipient know their money is on the way!

- Xoom will email you a receipt containing your unique Xoom Tracking Number. You can use this number to check the status of your money transfer at any time.

For Cash Pick-up in the Philippines:

Pick up money in just minutes at M. Lhuillier locations, including many that are open 24×7, SM Malls, Cebuana Lhuillier, Banco de Oro (BDO), many rural banks and Globe GCASH REMIT including Globe Telecom centers, Villarica and Tambunting Pawnshops.

For Bank Deposit:

Fast deposits to any bank account in the Philippines. Deposits in minutes to Philippine National Bank (PNB) and Banco de Oro (BDO). and deposits in just a few hours to Metrobank, and Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI).

We have reviewed Xoom money transfer services and it is better than some of its competitors in terms of its rates and service. Now it is time for you to check it out and tell us if they stand true to what they say and do they deliver the right money transfer services that you deserve.

Technorati Tags: money transfer, money transfer services, ofw, remittances, xoom

1. Can I survive being away from my family and friends for long periods of time?

2. Do I know what it takes to be an overseas worker?

3. Do I have the skills and the mental fortitude to work in a country who’s culture is different  from mine?

4. Am I prepared physically to work abroad?

5. Have I studied my options in life?

A lot of people work abroad to earn a higher income and provide well for their families but sometimes they are not prepared in becoming an overseas worker. They focus on finding the right overseas job rather than being the right overseas worker. One must prepare him or herself physically and mentally in becoming the right overseas worker. He or she must do the right research in determining if he or she can be able to work abroad. He must ready himself in being alone in a foreign country who’s culture is way different from the one that his accustomed to.

An aspiring overseas worker must set goals and a time frame on what to do with the money that he will be earning. That money is important because that is one of the main reasons why one works abroad. He must make sure that the fruits of his labor will not in vein because he did not have a foresight on what to do with his hard earned money. Good thing is that is a website like www.globalofw.com where an aspiring overseas worker can find tips and guides on how to make full use of the money that one has earned. In the end, finding the right overseas job can be a lot easier if one prepares and works on becoming the right overseas worker.

Technorati Tags: ofw, ofw tips, oveaseas filipino workers, overseas jobs, work abroad

The amended Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act now exempts Ofws or Overseas Filipino Workers from paying documentary stamp tax (DST) on their remittances, travel tax and airport fee.

The law exempts Overseas Filipino Workers and migrant workers from the payment of travel tax, documentary stamp tax or DST and airport fee upon showing of proof of entitlement from the POEA or Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.

According to Section 22 of Republic Act 10022 “The remittances of all OFWs, upon showing the same proof of entitlement by the OFW beneficiary or recipient, shall be exempted from the payment of documentary stamp tax.’’

According to former labor undersecretary and now Nacionalista Party (NP) senatorial bet Susan Ople the scrapping of the DST is very timely because it could help the OFW beneficiaries here recover some of the buying power they lost due to the peso’s surge against the dollar.  “Overseas Filipino Workers can now count on some P1.3 billion in extra savings with the abolition of the DST on all their remittances,’’ Ople said, as she cited Department of Finance’s projection at $19 billion worth of remittances this year.  The removal of the documentary stamp tax or DST on all funds wired home by OFWs would help drive down money transfer charges, and put more cash in the pockets of those receiving remittance,’’

Before to the passage of the amended Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act or RA 10022, all money transfers and remittances from abroad and payable in the Philippines, including those wired home by Overseas Filipino Workers were subject to the documentary stamp tax (DST) at a rate of P0.30 for every P200.

An estimated 10 million Filipinos, migrants and contract workers are working abroad. OFWs remit around $17 billion annually and have been the Philippines economic saviors for over three decades already.

Susan Ople stated that local banks and non-bank money transfer agents such as Moneygram International, Inc. and The Western Union Co. collect the documentary stamp tax (DST) before the funds sent home by Overseas Filipino Workers are actually paid out to their beneficiaries or families here. This means that OFWs pay a documentary stamp tax (DST) of P33.27 for every $500 or P22,180 (at $1:P44.36) they send home. The amount is on top of foreign and local bank fees, plus the P0.50 to a dollar margin domestic banks that are allowed when paying out remittances in pesos.

Migrante International believes the Philippine government has had enough from the billions of dollars of OFW remittances it received yearly and it is therefore high time for the government to do the saving.

Exerpts from Mamanglu, Shianee www.mb.com.ph/articles/253203/ofws-now-taxexempt

Technorati Tags: money transfer, ofw, remittances, tax exempt

In the recent Philippine statistics assessment it indicates that there are about 9-10 million overseas Filipino workers around world. Overseas Filipino Workers or Ofw’s are among the top foreign workers in the world. Ofw’s can be found in medical centers, hospitals, computer companies, oil production companies, technical and computer based companies and other service-oriented institutions like hotels and resorts. One of the well known ofw’s are the Filipino seafarers. They are one of the best if not the best in the world because of their skills, english proficiency and hospitality.

OFW’s work as engineers, doctors, nurses, caregivers, seaferers. Some work overseas as dairy farmers, household helpers, technicians, and as blue collar workers. They are of great demand abroad because of the overseas Filipino’s worker unparalleled work ethics – they are known as persevering, hard working, hospitable and loyal employees.

We at GLOBALOFW.COM salutes the Overseas Filipino Workers around the world for the sacrifices they have made for their families and for their country. It’s no easy thing to be thousands of miles away from your loved ones. It’s not easy to be in a country who’s cultures and traditions are different than yours. That’s why we make it a point to help those Filipino’s who wants to be an overseas Filipino worker and those who are already OFW’s to have the necessary information so that they can save money for their loved ones and lead better lives.

Technorati Tags: ofw, Ofws, overseas jobs

Below is the list of official 2010 Philippine holidays and long-weekends for the year 2010 based on Proclamation 1841:

DECLARING THE REGULAR HOLIDAYS, SPECIAL (NON-WORKING) DAYS, AND SPECIAL HOLIDAY (FOR ALL SCHOOLS) FOR THE YEAR 2010:

* January 1 (Fri)      – New Year’s Day (five-day long weekend from Dec. 30 to Jan. 3)
* February 22 (Mon) – EDSA Revolution Anniversary
* April 1 (Thu)         – Holy Thursday
* April 2 (Fri)           – Good Friday (four-day long weekend from April 1 to 4)
* April 9 (Fri)           – Araw ng Kagitingan (three-day long weekend from April 9 to 11)
* May 1 (Sat)          – Labor Day
* June 14 (Mon)       – Independence Day (three-day long weekend from June 12 to 14)
* August 23 (Mon)    – Ninoy Aquino Day (three-day long weekend from Aug. 21 to 23)
* August 30 (Mon)    – National Heroes Day (three-day long weekend from Aug. 28 to 30)
* September            – Eid’l Fitr (to be announced, calculated September 10, possible three-day long weekend from September 10 to 12)
* November 1 (Mon) – All Saints Day (three-day long weekend from Oct. 30 to November 1)
* November              – Eid ‘l Adha (to be announced, calculated November 16)
* November 29 (Mon) – Bonifacio Day (three-day long weekend from Nov. 27 to 29)
* December 24 (Fri)   – Non-Working Holiday
* December 25 (Sat)  – Christmas
* December 27 (Mon) – Rizal Day (four-day long weekend from December 24 to 27)
* December 31 (Fri)   – Non-Working Holiday
* January 1  (Sat)     – New Year’s Day (three-day long weekend from December 31 to January 2)

If you book your flights and hotel accommodations ahead of time you can save yourself some serious cash and eliminate the risk of not getting your desired booking date and price. For students, it means a long vacation and no classes. A time for you to call your family abroad and say how much you appreciate them.

Thanks to Mark’s Blog for some details on the 2010 Official Holidays.

Technorati Tags: ofw

Their hard work and sacrifice has help the Philippines avoid a recession amidst the global recession, the Philippines has weathered the storm because of the remittances of the millions of  Overseas Filipino Workers. They have helped immensely our country and the economy. In this regard, it is important that the President that will be elected in the upcoming elections will be able to support and address the needs of Ofw’s and their families.

This website was made to help and bring attention to the needs of the millions of Overseas Filipino Workers or Ofw’s around the world. This coming 2010 Philippine elections, Ofw’s have a voice and that voice is their vote. They have a chance to make a difference and voice out their opinions in the upcoming elections. Overseas Filipino Workers deserve a leader the will make a  difference in their lives and the lives of the Filipino people. Now is the time we make a change for the better.

Technorati Tags: 2010 Philippine elections, ofw, Ofws

Skype is the most popular voice communication service in the world.  It has change the way people think about calling long distance abroad and is has broken many barriers to communication. While in the past you needed to take note of the minutes and even the seconds you spend speaking on international calls, you now have a choice. You no longer need to worry about that now. You can use Skype to make PC to PC communication to call your loves and family. You pay nothing more than the monthly Internet or DSL service, which you would anyway have paid without Skype.

Though Skype, it has changed how people communicate with its integration of voice calls and IM (Instant Messaging) into one simple application. You can talk when you want and type when you want and you can switch between the two as you wish, easily and for free.

Skype has excellent voice quality and video, yes that’s video so that OFW’s can not only talk to their love ones and families but also see them and hear them in real time. All you need is a computer and an internet connection and you can talk to your love ones, family and friends for hours for free.

With the use of Skype, Overseas Filipino Workers or Ofw’s and migrants can save thousands of dollars in their telephone bills. With it they will be able to see the faces of their love ones and family and hear their voices for free. It makes the long distance and the holidays more meaningful by bringing families and friends together no matter where they are in the world.

Technorati Tags: ofw

We need to find the strength within to cope and overcome the obstacles in our lives. It is important to not loose faith in ourselves. We should also not loose hope that something better is waiting for us if we only have the courage to reach for it, to work for it and to fight for it. If we do that, then like simple candle light we can light up a dark room. Our hope can brighten up our lives.

According to a number of published books of people who have overcame the odds, once we have found our inner strength, we can overcome the different challenges in our lives. We can face the storm head on and have courage to not just survive but more importantly to come alive in our lives.

References:

1. http://www.dosomething.org/project/teach-under-privilege-kids-how-start-a-small-business

2. http://www.gsueaglenation.com/blog/4436729/The+Eagle+Blog

Technorati Tags: ofw, strength within

Heroes think of other people first before they think of themselves. Heroes are unique individuals that sacrifice themselves for the sake of others. I have read many news articles and books about how migrants, overseas workers like ofw’s face insurmountable challenges head on with only their faith, hope and determination to carry them thru. They strive hard to ensure that their kids future would be bright and that they would live a life that they have dream of.

What are migrants and overseas workers like ofw made of? They are made up of determination, courage, a risk taking attitude, a heart of gold and a lot more intangibles that make them as everyday heroes to a lot of people. They go beyond their call of duty to help their families, to help their country and sometimes people in need even if it means putting him or herself in danger.

You do not have be an overseas worker like an ofw to be a hero, you are a hero if you sacrifice a part of yourself to help other people who are need. You are a hero if you can make someone else smile despite the trials and challenges they have. You are a hero if you can make others feel better about themselves. If you do that then you are a hero in that person’s heart.

Technorati Tags: hero, heroes, ofw