PHL to extend visa-free privilege from 21 to 30 days

Beginning August 1, 2013, nationals from 151 countries with visa-free privilege can stay in the Philippines for up to 30 days from the previous period of 21 days.

Iraq, Yemen, Eretria deployment ban lifted

Secretary of Labor and Employment Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday announced that the Governing Board of POEA has lifted the ban on the deployment of overseas Filipino workers to Iraq, Yemen, and Eretria and will now allow to leave OFWs who would like to work in these countries.

Recruiters warned on HSW protection failure

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) yesterday reiterated that recruitment agencies shall be held accountable for incidents of abuse, exploitation, or breach of
contract committed by household employers against Filipino household service workers (HSWs).

Oman to hire 3,000 Pinoy nurses, doctors

Secretary of Labor and Employment Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday announced that the Sultanate of Oman will hire 3, 288 doctors and nurses from other countries in response to a projected shortage of these medical professionals in that host country.

2012 OFW remittances reach US$23.8 Billion

Personal remittances from Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in December 2012 expanded by 9.7 percent year-on-year, the highest monthly growth registered in 2012, to reach  US$2.2 billion, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr. announced today.

Just getting started: 400 Casino-Hotel OFWs hired back home

For the hotel/tourism industry OFWs, now they have more chances to be back home to their families, while providing similar career opportunities as the Bloomberry Resorts Corp brought home and hired former OFWs in their initial phase of their development in the PAGCOR Entertainment City (Parañaque).

Bloomberry Resorts is the first of four investors in the at least 4 Billion dollar development near the Mall of Asia complex.

DFA 2013 Holidays

Mark your calendars.

The Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of Consular Affairs (DFA-OCA) and its Regional Consular Offices (RCOs) and satellite offices in the National Capital Region (NCR) will be closed in observance of the following regular holidays and special non-working days in 2013:

Korea increases worker minimum wage

Labor and Employment Secretary Baldoz yesterday reported that Korea’s new minimum wage for all workers, including foreign workers under the Employment Permit System, has been increased.

DFA ePassport delay

The Department of Foreign Affairs Office of Consular Affairs (DFA-OCA) would like to advise the public that there will be a delay of 2 to 3 days on the release of the electronic passports (ePassports) due from January 28 to February 2 because of a machine breakdown.

TriNoma-Clark lounge opens

Clark bus @TriNoma. PNA image

Passenger traffic is seen to increase in Clark International Airport with the official opening today of a bus service that links the country’s emerging aeropolis with Metro Manila and Southern Luzon provinces.

“The 24-hour airport lounge in TriNoma is a dedicated bus service for Metro Manila passengers who will take their flights in Clark with an affordable fare of P200,” CIAC president and chief executive officer Victor Jose Luciano said in a statement.