Latest news with #OEC
Filipino Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Filipino Times
‘Tapat na serbisyo, sapat na benepisyo,' UAE-based OFWs ask of new senators
With the official proclamation of the 12 newly elected senators from the May 2025 midterm polls by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), millions of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) across the globe are once again placing their hopes on the country's new leaders. Migrant workers, particularly those in the UAE, have voiced their long-standing calls for better governance and stronger protection of their rights, as well as support for the families they've left behind in the Philippines. Now, as the 20th Congress prepares to convene, all eyes are on this new batch of lawmakers, a mix of returning and first-time senators, who bring with them a range of promises and advocacies. OFWs and their families are watching closely, hoping these will soon be transformed into concrete policies and meaningful reforms. What OFWs really want Amid all the promises and platforms raised during the campaign period, many OFWs share a common plea: for elected officials to lead with transparency and genuine public service. In a recent Tanong ng Bayan post, the prevailing sentiments highlighted a strong desire for a cleaner government, streamlined systems, and more efficient public services. Key concerns included simplifying the process for returning workers, especially concerning the overseas employment certificate (OEC), which serves as an exit clearance for departing OFWs, as well as ensuring that government agencies uphold integrity and compassion in serving the Filipino people. 'Sana magtrabaho sila nang tama para sa mga mamamayang Pilipino,' an Abu Dhabi-based OFW said. 'Maging honest sila sa kanilang serbisyo,' another commenter wrote. Ahmad Taurac, an admin clerk and Dubai-based OFW, also captured what many others have been echoing for years. First on the list: scrap the OEC, a document many view as an outdated burden. He also called for easier access to government assistance, discounted airfare for migrant workers, and livelihood support for those returning home. 'Bigyan ng kabuhayan ang mga OFW na umuwing walang ipon upang hindi na bumalik pa sa abroad,' he said, adding that the newly elected leaders should also push for their families welfare, such as providing health insurance coverage and free education for their children. Ahmad Taurac, OFW for 13 years in the UAE As the 2025 midterm elections end, let's look back on how several senatorial candidates, now officially proclaimed senators, placed the rights and welfare of OFWs at the center of their platforms—commitments that were largely highlighted in public forums, media interviews, and campaign rallies. Expanding health and social benefits Erwin Tulfo/FB Senator-elect Erwin Tulfo wants to ensure that OFWs retire with dignity. He proposes a dedicated pension fund, separate from the Social Security System, where both the government and workers contribute. Tulfo highlighted the reality that many OFWs return home without savings and often depend on their children, underscoring the urgent need for long-term financial support. Kiko Pangilinan/FB Meanwhile, Senator-elect Francis 'Kiko' Pangilinan is pushing for stronger healthcare and social protection. He aims to expand PhilHealth insurance coverage for the migrant workers and improve government assistance for their urgent medical concerns through strategic partnerships with various host countries. Pangilinan also advocates for a comprehensive reintegration program to ease their transition back home after years abroad. Strengthening support, policies Camille Villar/FB Millennial Senator-elect Camille Villar also promised a more responsive government for Filipino workers abroad. She plans to establish a dedicated hotline for legal aid and repatriation, while also pushing financial literacy programs for OFWs and their families. Building on her father Manny Villar's legacy, she vows to continue initiatives like the 'Sagip-OFW Helpline,' which she deemed helpful in repatriating thousands of distressed Filipinos abroad. Ping Lacson/FB Sea-based OFWs were also given attention as Senator-elect Panfilo 'Ping' Lacson has pledged to ensure better protection for seafarers. He noted that Filipino seafarers deserve access to affordable education and training, suggesting that the government should provide subsidies similar to those offered under the Free Tertiary Education Act. Other newly elected senators have also voiced support for broader advocacies that could benefit not only OFWs but also their families, including affordable education, youth empowerment, law enforcement, government transparency, agriculture, and women's rights. Shared hopes Now that these senators have been officially elected, OFWs from different parts of the world are hopeful that their promises won't remain mere words. With millions of Filipino workers continuing to sacrifice and contribute to the nation's economy from abroad, they look to the new Senate to take real, lasting action that reflects the value of every modern-day hero.
Arab News
5 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan to export female beauticians to Saudi Arabia — state media
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC) will send skilled female beauticians to Saudi Arabia in response to a demand from a private firm in the Kingdom, state media reported on Friday, outlining the qualifications required for applicants. The initiative comes as part of Pakistan's long-standing labor export relationship with Saudi Arabia, which remains the top destination for Pakistani workers and contributes over $700 million in monthly remittances to the South Asian country. Pakistan regularly sends skilled labor to Gulf nations, including medical professionals, engineers and technicians. The latest move targets the beauty and personal care sector. 'Overseas Employment Corporation, an attached department of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, will export skilled workers (female beauticians) to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,' the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said. It informed a Saudi firm is seeking beauticians for various roles, including senior hairdresser, nail technician (gel and acrylic), eyelash specialist, makeup artist, waxing and bleaching specialist and wig technician. The required qualifications include a minimum of three years' experience and an age limit of under 40 years. APP said the firm will offer senior beauticians a monthly salary of 3,000 Saudi Riyals or approximately $800. Employees will also receive free shared accommodation with furnishings and air conditioning, food allowance, and round-trip airfare, along with surface transport within Saudi Arabia if needed. The news report said applications must be submitted via the OEC website by June 8. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy robust economic, defense and cultural ties. The Kingdom hosts over 2.7 million Pakistani expatriates and remains the largest source of remittances to Pakistan, a crucial lifeline for the country's cash-strapped economy.
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Science
- New Indian Express
Plus-II exam results in Kerala: Drop in overall success rate & number of full A+ holders
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The success rate in the Plus-II higher secondary exam 2025, the results of which were announced on Thursday, saw a marginal dip of 0.88% to settle at 77.81% compared to the success rate of 78.69% recorded in the previous year. Announcing the results, General Education Minister V Sivankutty said that of the 3,70,642 regular students who appeared for the exam, 2,88,394 became eligible for higher studies. This included 1,65,234 girls and 1,23,160 boys, who registered success rates of 86.65% and 68.44%, respectively. The number of students who secured A+ in all subjects was 30,145 this year, denoting a sharp fall of 9,097 from the previous year's figure of 39,242. While A+ holders in all subjects constituted 13.3% of the total number of successful candidates last year, their share dipped to 10.45% this year. Sivankutty attributed the drops in overall success rate and number of A+ holders to the increasing standards of the examination. Among the A+ holders in all subjects, 22,772 were from the science stream, 4,510 from commerce, and 2,863 from humanities. As many as 41 students received a full score of 1200/1200. While the pass percentage in the science and commerce streams was 83.25% and 74.21, the success rate in the humanities stream was 69.16%. The aided sector recorded a success rate of 82.16%, followed by unaided schools at 75.91% and government schools at 73.23%. Malappuram district had the maximum number of students with an A+ grade in all subjects. However, the district with the highest success rate was Ernakulam (83.09%). Kasaragod recorded the lowest success rate of 71.09%. The pass percentage among scheduled caste students was 57,91%, and among scheduled tribe was 60.28%. The success rate was 69.88% for other eligible communities (OEC) students and 78.64% for other backward classes (OBC) students. The last date to apply for revaluation, photocopy of answer scripts, and scrutiny is May 27, which is also the last date to apply for the SAY (Save A Year) / improvement examinations. The SAY examinations will be held from June 23 to 27.
GMA Network
21-05-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
About 3,000 jobs in various sectors available in Czech Republic
Almost 3,000 job opportunities in different sectors are available in the Czech Republic, according to the report of Mariz Umali on "Saksi" Wednesday. Applicants may have a better chance to land a job if they have experience of about one year in food manufacturing, transportation, construction, logistics, hospitality and support services. "The ideal quota to start with is a little over 10,000 positions per year. Czechs ver quickly reailzed how skilled the Filipinos are. They speak English so there is no communication barrier. They are very adaptable so they can easily learn new skills," said ambassador of the Czech Republic to the Philippines Karl Hejc. The minimum salary, depending on the profession, may be 6,000 euros a month or about P100,000, which does not include bonuses. Licensed recruitment agencies said it would take about six months before a successful job applicant can travel to the Czech Republic because of the processing of documents. "We are continuously working on improving the process just to make it easier, more flexible and to shorten it as much as possible," said Hejc. The process can be made easier as applicants can submit their documents electronically, said Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac. "At least we've mentioned to the President, is to unify the OEC (Overseas Employment Certificate) and the e-travel," he added. Cacdac said there are no placement fees needed in applying for work. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
Business Wire
12-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Orion S.A. to Participate in Upcoming Investor Conferences
HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Orion S.A. (NYSE: OEC), a global specialty chemicals company, today announced participation in upcoming investor conferences. Orion will attend the: CJS Securities Inaugural May Virtual Conference on Wednesday, May 14. 2025 Wells Fargo Industrial & Materials Conference on Wednesday, June 11, in Chicago. UBS SMID-Cap Multisector Virtual Conference on Tuesday, June 24. Participating in the virtual CJS event will be CEO Corning Painter, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Glajch and Vice President of Investor Relations Chris Kapsch. Attending the Wells Fargo conference will be Senior Vice President & General Manager of Global Rubber Carbon Black & Americas Pedro Riveros, as well as Glajch and Kapsch. Painter, Glajch and Kapsch will attend the UBS conference. About Orion S.A. Orion S.A. (NYSE: OEC) is a leading global supplier of carbon black, a solid form of carbon produced as powder or pellets. The material is made to customers' exacting specifications for tires, coatings, ink, batteries, plastics and numerous other specialty, high-performance applications. Carbon black is used to tint, colorize, provide reinforcement, conduct electricity, increase durability and add UV protection. Orion has four innovation centers and produces carbon black at 15 plants worldwide, offering the most diverse variety of production processes in the industry. The company's corporate lineage goes back more than 160 years to Germany, where it operates the world's longest-running carbon black plant. Orion is a leading innovator, applying a deep understanding of customers' needs to deliver sustainable solutions. For more information, please visit Forward-Looking Statements This document contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements of future expectations that are based on current expectations and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement. New risk factors and uncertainties emerge from time to time and it is not possible to predict all risk factors and uncertainties, nor can we assess the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or other information, other than as required by applicable law.
