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. 

If your thinking of working as a domestic helper, try to avoid the Middle East. Filipinas working in the Middle East are prone to exploitation, abuse and rape.

Some recruitment agencies process contracts using false representation. The OFW’s contract would show that they would be working as cashiers, waiters and so on. However, when they reach their country of destination, they end up working as dometic helpers.

Forms of exploitation include long working hours, few rest and sleep, food unfit for human consumption, underpayment of wages, physical punishment and the like.

Middle Eastern countries treat women as second class citizens. For dometic helpers, think twice before working in the Middle East.

The Peso has gained more than 10 pesos from its peak of Php 56. OFW’s are hurt with the sudden rise our local currency. For OFW’s earning $1,000, what used to be Php 56,000 is now only worth Php 45,000.

The rise of the Peso stems from a globally weak dollar, the strong remittance of our OFW’s, and the inflows of foreign money in our stock market.

The Pesos will probably loom in the Php 44-45 range by year end. OFW’s should use their money wisely because of the huge drop in their purchasing power.

With its economy surging, Singapore is experiencing severe shortage of highly skilled personnel.

Skills shortage is prevalent on the manufacturing sector such as construction, oil and gas.

In banking, Singapore is in demand of back office treasury and securities operation, credit risk, compliance, and relationship managemnet.

In the media/public relations/advertising business, there are demands for experienced candidates in investor relations, crisis communications and internal communications.

Salaries in Singapore are spiralling upwards as companies bid for scarce talents.

The Department of Foreign Affairs is set to issue machine readable passports by August this year. The new passpport boast of various secruity features that will make it difficult to tamper.

The Philippines is one of the few remaining countries who does not have machine readable passports. Philippine passports are handwritten and are easily tampered. The first receipients of this passports will be OFW’s who are having their passports renewed at the POEA.