Good news! The Philippines is still considered one of the major suppliers of maritime labor globally. After dipping for almost two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the sea-based remittances bounced back in 2021. Meanwhile, President Rodrigo Duterte approved the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). This is welcomed news for our overseas and maritime workers! Under the IRR are the structures, operations, and mechanisms on continuing to assist and protect Filipinos through the DMW. Read these news and more in this month’s roundup.

May 17, 2022

Israel and Germany have job offers for hundreds of Filipinos now that opportunities for overseas Filipino workers have resumed following the COVID-19 pandemic. Israel needs up to 800 hotel workers, while Germany requires 600 nurses this 2022. In other news, three different countries are eyed as employment markets for OFWs, according to Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO). These are Georgia, Azerbaijan, and North Cyprus. Read these news and more in this month’s roundup.

May 17, 2022

More opportunities await Filipinos in Taiwan after its Ministry of Education (MOE) opened job vacancies for English teachers and personnel. Meanwhile, Canada needs about a million workers in the next five years to compensate a serious labor shortage. Read these news and more in this month’s roundup.

Apr 21, 2022

Some news for the maritime industry! Australia said it would lift its entry ban for international cruise ships next month, effectively ending all major COVID-related travel bans after two years. Meanwhile, Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) will get expanded insurance coverage amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to DOLE. The expanded insurance policy guarantees coverage in case of death, disability, repatriation, medical emergency, and litigation. Read these news and more in this month’s roundup.

Apr 21, 2022

Samo’t sari ang kwento nating mga OFW—kung minsan punong-puno ng drama, at talaga naming hindi nawawalan ng hugot. Kung minsan saksakan rin ng komedi at katatawanan! Ang buhay nating OFW ay tunay na parang pelikula, pero kahit ano pa man ang ating karanasan sa pakikipagsapalaran sa ibang bansa, hinding-hindi nawawalan ang ating mga kuwento ng puso, dahil puso ang ating pinagpupuhunan. O pak, di ba! Dahil diyan, ito ang aming Top 10 pinoy OFW movies na talagang nakakaintindi sa pinagdadaanan natin at nakaka-inspire din!

Mar 23, 2022

After failing a recent assessment by the European Union, the DFA urged the Maritime Industry Authority to immediately comply with global training standards for Filipino seafarers, as their livelihoods are at stake. Meanwhile, the 21 Filipino seafarers who were extracted from Ukraine have arrived safely in the Philippines. As of today, 63 Filipinos have been repatriated from Ukraine while 136 have been evacuated. Read this news and more in this month’s roundup.

Mar 21, 2022

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello is firm on the issue of the deployment ban on household service workers (HSWs) and construction workers to Saudi Arabia until the said country has complied with the demand for the fair treatment and protection of Pinoy workers. Meanwhile, more hospitality and tourism jobs will be available for Filipinos in Quatar as the country prepares to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup in November. Read these news and more in this month’s roundup.

Mar 21, 2022

Starting February 1, fully-vaccinated OFWs will no longer be required to undergo mandatory quarantine. Instead, they will be required to procure a negative RT-PCR result taken 48 hours before the scheduled trip. Meanwhile, Tranportation Secretary Arthur Tugade announced that Seaman's books of first-time seafarers will be given free by the Philippine government. This news and more can be found in this month's roundup!

Feb 09, 2022

Starting February 1, fully-vaccinated OFWs will no longer be required to undergo mandatory quarantine. Instead, they will be required to procure a negative RT-PCR result taken 48 hours before the scheduled trip. Meanwhile, the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) announced that Filipino workers could soon enter Taiwan on the second week of February, barring any COVID-19 surge. This news and more on our monthly round-up!

Feb 08, 2022

Dahil sa pagkalat ng Omicron variant, maraming mga bansang binabago ang kanilang mga patakaran para sa OFW. Dati, sapat na ang dalawang dose para maging “fully vaccinated” at makapasok sa mga bansa. Ngayon, dumadami ang mga bansang naghahanap ng pangatlong covid vaccine “booster shot” na magbibigay ng dagdag na proteksiyon laban sa Omicron. Kaya huwag nang intaying magbago ang patakaran sa pupuntahang bansa. Kung may pagkakataong makatanggap ng booster shot dito sa Pilipinas, kunin na at siguraduhing nakalagda nang maayos sa iyong VaxCert at Yellow Card. Tandaan: mabilis nagbabago ang patakaran. Kaya laging linawin ang requirements sa iyong agency o employer.

Feb 03, 2022