For the next 15 years, Kuwait expects to complete major infrastructure projects that have an estimated USD50 billion budget and they need the help of over a million overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to accomplish the tasks.

The recent signing of several partnership agreements between the governments of Kuwait and the Philippines is a clear proof that the Middle Eastern country strongly prefers hiring OFWs.

The signing was done in an expanded bilateral meeting held in the Malacañang Palace and no less than the leaders of the two countries were present; Kuwait’s Prime Minister Sheik Nasser Al Mohammad Al Ahmad Al Sabah and President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Read more.

Do you need a passport? You can also apply for a passport during the DFA Mobile Passport Service hosted by the Local Government in your community! For the month of September, the DFA’s Mobile Passport Service will be in:

• September 6: Angeles City/ Parañaque City
• September 13: Pasig City/ Talavera, Nueva Ecija
• September 20: Pateros City/ Sampaloc (4th District) Manila
• September 27: Muntinlupa City/Pasig City

The processing of passports at Mobile Passport Services is guided by the Philippine Passport Act of 1996 and its implementing rules and regulations, other relevant Department Orders, Circulars and Memoranda. Participation in the Mobile Passport Services must be coordinated with the Passport Coordinator designated by the Local Government Unit (LGU) in advance. 

The designated LGU Passport Coordinator will collect copies of the application forms from interested applicants at least two weeks in advance of the scheduled date of the mobile passport service. The LGU Passport Coordinator will inform the applicant of the indicative time during which he or she will have to file the passport application on the scheduled date of the Mobile Passport Service.

Personal appearance is a requirement for all passport applicants except for minors who are 8 years old and below and senior citizens who are 65 years old and above. The Mobile Passport Service will not accept applications for the replacement of lost valid passports but will entertain applications for lost expired passports. The Mobile passport fee is P 750.00

Click here to download complete schedules

Smart Telecommunications Company issued an advisory against unscrupulous individuals that are using the name of their company to victimize unsuspecting OFWs in Belgium by sending hoax messages and phone calls informing them of winning a certain promo. They target OFWs and used Philippine-based roaming cellphone number.

Scammers asked potential victims to deposit a certain amount of money prior to claiming the non-existent prize. Smart advises OFWs to refrain from responding to these messages as legitimate contests do not demand any amount of money from the winners. Filipino workers to receive this kind of message are encouraged to report it to the Philippine embassy. They may also call the consular section at 02 340 33 73 or 74 or send email to brussels@philembassy.be

The largest organization of licensed landbased recruitment agencies in the Philippines, the Philippine Association of Service exporters in the Philippines (PASEI), is against the implementation of a Recruitment and Manpower Deployment Contract (aka unified contract scheme ) being proposed by the Saudi National Recruitment Committee, (Sanarcom), a Saudi recruitment agency.

The said unified contract scheme would greatly affect the deployment process of overseas Filipino workers (OFWS) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and according to PASEI, would result to the exploitation of Pinoy workers. To describe how the proposed recruitment scheme will be a disadvantage to OFWS, PASEI used the term modern day slavery.

Victor E. Fernandez Jr, PASEI President said, “This unilateral imposition of the Sanarcom will result in an ‘involuntary servitude, leaving Sanarcom rich and OFWs exploited.” Read more.

The Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services, Inc (IDEALS), a non-stock, non-profit, non-government organization is providing free legal assistance to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) under its Migrants’ Defense Program. IDEALS is a partner of the Hague Process on Refugees and Migration, a member of the Club of the Hague. For inquiries call: (+632) 436-5470 or e-mail ideals05@yahoo.com