OWWA has launched the search for the 2007 Model OFW Family of the Year Award (MOFYA) which for this year will focus on successful family relations.

The nomination and selection of awardees will start in October at the regional level. In November, three of the finalists will be chosen as national champions representing Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

The three big winners will receive cash prizes of P200,000, vacation trip packages, laptop units plus other exciting prizes. Visit OWWA’s website for more information.

Filipinos consider nursing as the key to working abroad and earning big time. But the bubble may soon burst as the over supply of nurses looms in the next five years.

The Philippines 400 nursing school reported a staggering 632,108 nursing students are enrolled this year. This is up by 145,875 from the previous year.

This year, a record of 78,797 fresh graduates took the nursing board exam. While there is a worldwide demand of nursing professionals, we would soon have more supply than world demand. When this happens, we will have thousand of nurses jobless or working in other professions. This has happened in the early 90’s. It will surely happen again. 

Under the proposed immigration bill in Saipan, all foreign workers who have been working and living legally in Saipan for at least 5 consecutive years could be granted a permanent residency visa.

Applicants need to undergo criminal and terrorism background check, medical examination, and must prove that he/she is of good moral standing-OFWGuide

If you receive an overseas job offer via email, beware. Email scams are proliferating offering high paying jobs to overseas multinational companies. Here is how to detect an email scam:

1. You will be told that they found your resume through a job bank.
2. The company will require you to undergo a seminar/training fee.
3. You will be tasked to pay a reservation fee, OWWA membership and other taxes.

Once you have paid the amount, the person will simply disappear without communication.

To protect yourself from these types of frauds, check and verify the existence of the company and call up the person who sent you the email using the office number of the company.

As of this writing, the processing and deployment of Filipino workers to Lebanon is suspended as ordered by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

This is because of the unstable peace and order situation in Lebanon and upon the recommendation of the Government Task Force in Lebanon.-OFWGuide