Household service workers are very vulnerable to abuse and this issue is a growing concern in Malaysia. The good news is that foreign household service workers (HSWs) in Malaysia who are being abused or mistreated by their employers can now easily ask for help. The Malaysian government recently set up a telephone hotline number that is available 24/7. Once they received a complaint, the authorities will determine the best course of action to help the complainant. The Maid Abuse Hotline number is: 03 - 2052 0999.

Japan needs workers from the medical and health-care fields. The Japanese Department of Labor estimates that by 2010, Japan will need about 7.5 million health professionals as elderly population now account for 20 percent of its total population. This is expected to rise to 29 percent of the total population by 2025.

The Philippine Embassy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) warned jobseekers in the Philippines against accepting job offers in Saudi Arabia using visit visas. Apparently, Sawary Marketing and Development Group, a company in KSA recruits Filipino staff for various supermarkets there but does not issue working permits to hired workers.

Consul General Pendosina N. Lomondot said “Unless you are looking for trouble, don’t attempt to come to work in Saudi Arabia without a work visa.”

To ensure the legality of an overseas job offer, inquire with POEA or call their hotlines at 722-1144 or 722-1155

The Microsoft Tulay project has put up computer training center in several countries including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore and Saudi Arabia since the project began three years ago. Currently there are two computer centers in Italy located in Rome and Milan. These training centers would benefit about 200,000 OFWs here. The training centers will train OFWs to communicate through the use of email or instant messaging with video with their families here.

The United Kingdom has extended the work permit of senior Filipino caregivers, reversing its previous position of not granting extension to the 5 year work permits given to foreign caregivers.

The extension would benefit around 25,000 Filipino caregivers in England, Wales and Scotland. The new guideline also increased the salary of caregivers to £7.02 per hour or £14,600 yearly.