Latest news with #OFW
Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Filipinos in UAE: Contract verification for OFWs to become more efficient from May 1
Filipino residents in Dubai and the northern emirates can now benefit from a more efficient contract verification process, as the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) is set to roll out a streamlined system starting May 1, 2025. Under Advisory No. 07, Series of 2025, the new guidelines reduce verification to two main methods and expand online services to better serve Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the mentioned areas. 1. Online submission OFWs may submit their documents online through the online submission system for contract verification. A new online submission form opens every Monday at 8am with 800 slots. The form closes once all slots are filled or on Wednesday at 11:59pm, whichever comes first. The new submission link is posted on our website and Facebook page at 8am every Monday. Process cycle time (PCT) for processing of documents: 11 working days. OFWs with an approved application will be given a date to collect and pay for their verified documents. Sample form schedule: Application date: May 5, 2025 Result of application: May 15, 2025 Releasing, Collection & Payment: May 19–21, 2025 PCT for collection: 15–20 minutes OFWs covered: OFWs with visa issued in Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah or are working in any of these Emirates. 2. Walk-in OFWs may visit MWO-Dubai to have their documents verified one working day before their confirmed flight to the Philippines. OFWs with flight schedule falling on Saturday, Sunday, or Monday may visit MWO-Dubai on the Thursday or Friday nearest/prior to their flight. If the day before the flight was announced as a holiday/non-working day, then the worker may visit on the nearest working day before his/her flight. OFWs who are already in the Philippines but were unable to have their documents verified prior to their flight may authorize someone to submit their documents to MWO for verification. Authorized representatives will only be allowed entry in MWO-Dubai 1–3 days before the OFW's OEC appointment in the Philippines or 2–5 days before the worker's flight going back to the UAE. OFWs covered:
Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Soon, overseas Filipino workers to get free annual checkups
Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), including those based in the UAE, will soon receive free annual medical check-ups through the Philippine Department of Migrant Workers' (DMW) Aksyon Fund, it was announced on Friday. DMW minister Hans Leo Cacdac made the announcement during a Senate inquiry probing 'irregularities in pre-employment medical examinations and alleged abusive practices by some clinics (in the Philippines),' according to a report by the Philippine News Agency (PNA). Cacdac told senator Raffy Tulfo the free medical check-up will be covered by Aksyon (Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFWs na Nangangailangan) fund, a key financial support mechanism for OFWs needing urgent assistance abroad. Cacdac assured the routine health monitoring for OFWs during their deployment and prior to repatriation will also be covered. Tulfo, meanwhile, urged the DMW to institutionalise the initiative through a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Philippine Department of Health (DOH) 'to ensure greater oversight and regulation of medical clinics conducting OFW health clearances.' 'Medical clinics should have prior coordination with and obtain approval from the DOH,' Tulfo added. OFWs are estimated to be around 15 million across the world. They have a significant presence in the UAE, believed to be more than 700,000 individuals – of which, approximately 450,000 reside in Dubai alone. Overseas Filipinos help keep the Philippine economy afloat. As reported by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (central bank), OFWs sent a record $38.34 billion in remittances to the Philippines last year, marking a 3 per cent increase from the $37.21 billion recorded in 2023. Among the contributors are those from the US, Singapore, KSA, Japan, UK and the UAE.
GMA Network
6 days ago
- GMA Network
DMW: 2 recruitment agencies suspended, 1 nabbed for illegal recruitment in Manila
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) suspended two recruitment agencies and arrested one person for allegedly engaging in illegal recruitment. In a statement Tuesday, DMW said it conducted a surprise inspection of recruitment agencies at the Gedisco Center in Malate, Manila on Monday. DMW said it found two recruitment agencies allegedly engaged in multiple violations, including the employment of unregistered personnel and the operation of an unregistered accommodation facility. 'Kaya dapat walang labis o kulang sa talaan ng DMW, dahil kung labis o kulang posibleng may illegal recruitment na nangyayari. Dapat kilala natin ang taong nagre-recruit, dapat lehitimo. Kung ang isa doon ay walang lisensya o ang may lisensya ay nagpapagamit ng kanyang lisensya ito ang kabit system,'' Cacdac said. (Reports to the DMW should be exact, because if there is too much or a lack of information in records, illegal recruitment could be taking place. We should know the people involved in the recruitment. They should be legitimate. If a recruiter does not have a license or is allowing another person to use their license, then they are employing a 'kabit' system.) During the operation, DMW also rescued an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) allegedly recruited through Facebook. DMW said the OFW will receive aid from the agency. Meanwhile, the DMW caught a suspect allegedly conducting recruitment activities despite being unregistered as an employee of the agency. 'May isa naman doon nag-a-apply, nirefer siya ng illegal sa labas, isang form ng 'kabit system.' Posibleng may opisina doon, o dili kaya nire-refer niya, kaya kasabwat ang legal ng illegal,' Cacdac said. (A person was applying. He was referred by the illegal recruiter. This is a form of 'tie up' system. Possibly, there is an office there or he was referred, so the legal and illegal recruiters are accomplices.) Cacdac reminded that agency personnel are prohibited from recruiting outside their registered office or in areas without an official branch. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
7 days ago
- Business
- Filipino Times
When can your job contract end in the UAE? Here's what MoHRE says
Whether you're a first-time OFW in the UAE or someone who's been working here for years, it's important to know when and why your work contract can legally end. Sometimes, it's expected, like when you resign or your contract expires. But there are also less obvious situations that can lead to contract termination. According to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), here are nine official reasons a work contract can end in the UAE, based on Federal Decree Law No. (33) of 2021: Mutual agreement – If both you and your employer agree to end the contract, then it's valid. Contract expiration – If your limited-time contract ends and isn't renewed, it's automatically over. One party requests termination – You or your employer can end the contract, as long as the proper legal steps and notice period are followed. Death of employer – If your work depends directly on the employer and they pass away, the contract ends. Death or disability of the employee – If the employee dies or is permanently disabled and can no longer work, the contract is terminated. It should be substantiated by a certificate issued by a medical authority. Imprisonment – If the worker gets a final court conviction that results in a prison term of 3 months or more, the job ends automatically. Permanent closure of the company – If the business shuts down permanently and this is confirmed by the authorities, contracts are terminated. Bankruptcy or economic reasons – If the employer can no longer operate due to financial loss or exceptional events, contracts may end. Failure to renew work permit – If the employee can't renew their work permit (for reasons not their fault), the contract ends. Knowing these reasons helps protect your rights and lets you understand what to expect. If you experience any of these, you're not alone—and most of them are backed by proper legal steps. If unsure, consult MOHRE or your HR team for guidance.
GMA Network
26-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
SC asked to issue TRO vs. proclamation of party-list winners
The One Filipinos Worldwide (OFW) party-list on Monday filed a petition asking the Supreme Court (SC) to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the declaration of party-list winners in the 2025 elections. In a 28-page petition for certiorari, the party-list sought a TRO and/or status quo ante order and/or writ of preliminary injunction directing the Commission on Elections (Comelec) from implementing NBOC resolution 14-25. The resolution declared the winners in the May 12 elections, following the formula provided in the ruling of Banat v. Comelec. 'The BANAT formula should be modified, if not abandoned, as it is inconsistent with, and fails to reflect, the spirit and intent of the 1987 Constitution and Republic Act No. 7941,' the petition read. Under the Banat formula, the parties that receive at least 2% of the total votes cast for the party-list system shall be entitled to one seat each. An additional seat will be granted to a party-list which will be able to secure more than 2% of the votes cast proportional to the additional percentage it got, but the maximum number of seats is only three. EXPLAINER: How does the PH party-list system work? 'It is politely advanced that the formula introduced in BANAT resulted into double counting of votes in favor of party-list groups who attained 2% of the total votes cast by all party-list groups,' the petition read. 'Nowhere from the text of the law was it stated that the 2% shall be used for the purpose of determining the number of guaranteed seats. The 2% threshold already provides an equivalent seat that must be definitively allocated,' it added. The party-list argued that it should be proclaimed as one of the winners and get one seat in the House of Representatives. It said that the Akbayan party-list should get three seats, the Duterte Youth party-list should get two seats instead of three, the Tingog party-list should get two seats instead of three, and that the 4Ps, ACT-CIS, and Ako Bikol party-lists should get one seat each. Aside from this, the OFW party-list asked the SC to direct Comelec to review the accreditation, disqualify and disallow the continued participation of non-marginalized groups in the party-list system. 'Sana po 'yung mga nagre-represent, totoo naman na nagre-represent. Ang dami pong party-list na nakita namin. Hindi ko alam kung sino sino itong mga ito, nanalo? Anong sector, nanalo?' OFW party-list president Marissa Del Mar Magsino said in a press conference. (I hope that those who claim to represent actually do represent. We saw so many party-list groups. I don't even know who they are, and they won? What sector?) The party-list also asked the SC to direct Comelec to allocate 64 seats instead of 63 seats. 'Public Respondents committed grave abuse of discretion in promulgating NBOC Resolution 14-25 which allocated only 63 seats for Party-List Representatives,' the petition read. Meanwhile, Magsino called on the High Court to grant their petition. 'For as long as we win this fight, winner na po tayo in the very sense of the word. Justice is rendered, justice is given to the OFW and the seafarers and their families,' Magsino said. 'I don't think naman aabutin ito ng last two months of 20th Congress. I'm very positive that SC will heed our request because this is a valid, legal, and constitutional request. Dahil ito po ay dinesign ng Constitution to be able to serve the marginalized and the underrepresented,' she added. (I don't think this will reach the last two months of the 20th Congress. I'm very positive that the SC will heed our request because this is a valid, legal, and constitutional request. This was designed by the Constitution to be able to serve the marginalized and the underrepresented.) The respondent in the petition is the Comelec. GMA News Online has asked the poll body for comment and will publish it once available.—AOL, GMA Integrated News For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.
