5 facts about the Qatar blockade and its effects on OFWs

In another display of deep-seated divisions and internal squabbles in the Arab world, three Persian Gulf monarchies recently decided to place a de facto siege on the tiny, prosperous Sheikhdom of Qatar.

All of a sudden, one of the world’s richest countries has found itself precariously isolated—and its very existence put into question.

The move was led by Saudi Arabia, the effective leader of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which is composed of all littoral states in the Persian Gulf with the exception of Iran, the sole Shia-ruled, non-Arab nation in the area. There are five important things to keep in mind as far as the ongoing crisis is concerned:

Customs to impose tighter rules for balikbayan boxes

The Bureau of Customs said yesterday it may impose tougher measures on balikbayan boxes for fear that these tax-free packages are being used by traders to smuggle goods into the country.

“The existing rules are obsolete and we may have to reassess our coordination and processes with consolidators for stricter and improved compliance,” Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina said in a statement.

“Our spot checks from several warehouses show how misconstrued the rules may have become. People are sending in used clothing, home appliances and items of the same kind that can well be used for commercial purposes,” he said.

OFWs join #DiAko4Sale campaign

Filipino workers around the world showed their support for the global observance of World Day Against Trafficking by posting selfies bearing the hashtag #DiAko4Sale.

This is part of the social media campaign of the Blas F. Ople Policy Center and Pinoy Blog/OFW Awards (PEBA), two non-government organizations helping in the fight against modern-day slavery.

"As an NGO, we receive several cases involving trafficked overseas workers via Facebook and Twitter. The use of social media has become the norm, rather than the exception, when it comes to handling urgent OFW cases, particularly those involving maltreatment and sexual exploitation," said Ople Center president, Susan Ople.

New fuel price in U.A.E.

Dr Matar Al Nyadi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Energy, disclosed the new fuel prices to be effective from August 1.

Source: khaleejtimes.com

POEA suspends recruiter for trying to deploy 6 helpers as office workers

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration has suspended a recruiter for trying to deploy six household service workers as office workers and salespersons.

POEA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac ordered the suspension of the license of CAZ International Inc., after initiating a complaint against the firm motu propio

Immigration personnel at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport 1 had stopped the six women from boarding their respective flights after they admitted they would work as domestic workers.

Dubai to release 11 Pinoy prisoners in observance of Ramadan

Eleven Filipinos detained in Dubai for various offenses are among the 734 prisoners scheduled to be released in observance of Ramadan, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Thursday.

They were ordered freed by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, the DFA said.

Citing a report from the Philippine Consulate General, the DFA said Dubai’s Attorney General, Mr. Issam Al Humaidan, announced that the public prosecution has begun the legal procedures to implement the Sheikh’s release order, in cooperation with the Dubai Police.

Pinoy overcomes swim fear, saves 4 from drowning in UAE

A Filipino singlehandedly saved four people from drowning in Jumeirah in the United Arab Emirates last weekend, a UAE news site reported late Tuesday.

Despite his fear of swimming in the open sea, Alvin Pancito, 30, saved the four people swept by the sea at 2 a.m., Gulf News reported.

“To be honest, I’m really scared of the sea. I have been so since that happened to my sister. But on Saturday, there was no time to think. I just had to go and help them in whatever way I can,” he said.

Pinay wins $1M in UAE duty-free draw

A Filipina office worker got quite a birthday treat after winning $1 million in a duty-free raffle draw in the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday.

The Filipina won the Dubai Duty Free draw and became its 194th Millennium Millionaire using a ticket bought on her birthday, Gulf News reported.

"My husband and I were shocked at first but we immediately thanked the Lord ... We plan to share the blessings with our family and help those in need," said the 34-year-old Filipina, whose ticket No. 4400 won the prize.

POEA: 11 recruitment agencies charged after ‘salvo inspection’

Prospective overseas Filipino workers may have to be wary of 11 agencies that were slapped charges for violating recruitment laws, the Philippine Overseas Employment Adminiistration said Monday.

In a Twitter post, POEA head Hans Leo Cacdac said the violations were found during a "salvo inspection" at the Gedisco Center in Ermita, Manila.

Charged were:

POEA cancels license of manning agency over placement fee

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has cancelled the license of a local manning agency for collecting placement fees worth P30,000 and P60,000 from two jobseekers.

According to POEA, Mid-South Ship and Crew Management, Inc. collected the money from the victims and made them sign two-year employment contracts for a monthly salary of $250.

The two victims then worked as fishermen aboard a Taiwan-based fishing vessel for three and a half months before returning to the Philippines due to alleged maltreatment and unpaid wages.

Second Pinoy-oriented radio station launched in UAE

Filipino workers in the United Arab Emirates will have more variety in the airwaves after another radio station for Filipinos was launched there last June 6.

Wow 107 FM, a 24-hour entertainment channel, caters to Filipinos in need of commentary, music, and news delivered in Tagalog similar in style to radio stations in the Philippines.

“We are on air from Sunday 5am. The Filipino community is a growing expatriate community in the UAE. It is a station Hatid ng Pilipino, Para sa Pilipino  - delivered by Filipinos, for Filipinos,” the radio station's head of programs, Mike Fernando, told Emirates 24/7.

Beware of retweeted and shared ‘POEA-approved’ jobs, OFWs advised

If that supposed "POEA-approved" job offer was retweeted or shared, better think twice before applying.

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration issued the warning on Sunday as it advised prospective overseas Filipino workers to verify such offers reposted on social media.

"Mag-ingat sa mga post, re-post, tweet at retweet na nasasagap o kinakalat sa social media, patungkol sa mga 'POEA-approved jobs' kuno," POEA head Hans Leo Cacdac said.

Pinoy sales associate in Dubai overcomes self-doubt, becomes ‘last singer standing’

While others would join singing contests to win prizes or start a career, Mark Rodel Sularte Arellano joined one for a different reason — to boost his self-confidence.

After surviving his first karaoke contest in 2010, it was all a walk in the park for the 34-year-old sales associate.

“After that first competition, dun na nag-start yung desire [ko] na kumanta sa stage at sumali sa mga contest kasi parang from there, parang bumalik yung tiwala ko sa sarili na puwede rin pala ako manalo ulit,” Mark shared an email, referring to the karaoke contest at the Rockwell Bar in Capitol Hotel-Al Mina, Dubai.

POEA: Overseas employers need letter of acknowledgement

Prospective overseas employers will need to get a letter of acknowledgment from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration before recruiting workers in the Philippines.

The reminder was issued over the weekend by POEA head Hans Leo Cacdac on his Twitter account.

"Overseas employers who want to conduct recruitment activities in the Philippines need to secure a Letter of Acknowledgment from the POEA," Cacdac said.

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BI, POEA team up vs. illegal recruiters

Immigration officers have been ordered to be on the lookout for human trafficking victims after the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) revoked the license of an agency caught sending workers abroad with double visas.

Officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) found two prospective overseas Filipino workers with altered visas presenting them as a cashier and a hairdresser.

However, the women later presented their true visas indicating their true work was as a housemaid and a babysitter.

POEA issues 10 reminders vs. illegal recruitment

Apply only with licensed recruitment agencies, be wary of job offers posted online, and transact directly with government offices.

These were among the reminders the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration issued to overseas-bound workers to avoid illegal recruiters.

OFWs in Middle East, Africa may register for 2016 elections online

OFWs in the Middle East and Africa may now use the i-Rehistro system to register for the 2016 national elections online.

Filipinos who wish to use the service may go to the i-Rehistro or Comelec website to fill out registration forms and schedule their appointment with the nearest embassy, foreign service post, or field registration site.

Registrants will need to print out and submit their accomplished forms during their appointment to proceed to biometrics capturing. Under the law, all voters must have their biometric data recorded.

POEA reminds would-be OFWs vs. 3 misconceptions

Opportunities await only the skilled, a tourist or visit visa is no guarantee of protection, and it is not easy to adjust to the culture of a host country.

These were the three reminders of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration to Filipinos thinking of working abroad.

POEA head Hans Leo Cacdac posted the reminders in a tweet to warn prospective OFWs against possible pitches by illegal recruiters.

POEA invites ad agencies, PR firms to join drive vs. illegal recruiters, traffickers

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration has started inviting ad agencies and public relations firms to join the government's campaign against illegal recruiters and human traffickers.

POEA head Hans Leo Cacdac issued the invitation via his Twitter account Thursday, a day after the Labor Department called for more action against illegal recruitment and human trafficking.

"Any ad agencies, PR firms or their industry associations interested in joining the campaign against illegal recruitment and human trafficking?" Cacdac said.