A placement agency faces suspension after an overseas Filipino worker it deployed to Hong Kong suffered several abuses at the hands of her employer.
The Department of Labor and Employment said this as its agencies reassured the OFW, Rowena Uychiat, of assistance to her and her family in the Philippines.
DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz assured Uychiat's family the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Hong Kong will help her file a complaint against NAR Training and Management Service for making Uychiat pay P45,000 in placement fee.
Baldoz also directed the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration to file a case against a certain Joy of NAR Training and Management Service for deducting P5,000 from the loan proceeds allegedly as processing fee.
On the other hand, the DOLE is also eyeing actions against Nittan Capital Finance Inc., where Uychiat contracted a P50,000 loan to pay the placement fee.
Earlier, Philippine Labor Attache to Hong Kong Manuel Roldan said the POLO has blacklisted Uychiat's employer, Yui Anna Hoi Yin.
"This means Yui Anna Hoi Yin cannot hire another worker unless police investigation shows otherwise. The POLO will not process any contract document which the employer will present as a pre-requisite to visa issuance," Roldan said.
Uychiat, a widow, has a 19-year old daughter Justine, who is taking up criminology at Bago City College. She also has a 13-year old son, Ryan
Read the continuation of the news at GMANews.tv
Showing posts with label DOLE. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DOLE. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
P10K Livelihood Assistance For Overseas Filipino Workers In WV
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Western Visayas who applied for the P10K livelihood Assistance Program of the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) can now claim their checks at the provincial offices of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in their respective areas.
Bernard Sibay, Regional OFW Integration Officer of NCRO here in Region 6 said 45 applications for the P10K livelihood Assistance Program have been approved amounting to P450,000.00 and the checks are now downloaded to the DOLE provincial offices for release.
To date, 19 beneficiaries have already claimed their checks of which five received theirs from DOLE Undersecretary Ciriaco Lagunzad during his recent visit to Iloilo City.
Based on the NRCO 6 data, OFWs from the province of Negros Occidental whose applications were approved and have to claim their checks yet are: Ramile Combite, Ressia Bentic, Richard Bautista, Mark Ermeo, Ronabe Mancia, Maritess Atido, Cherryl Anatan, Rodelyn Jane Morales, Maritess Tipon, Susie Espina and Lolita Bacharo.
In the province of Iloilo, approved applicants who also have to claim their checks are: Connie Chavez, Wilma Cataloctocan, Mary Jane Jegonia, Daisy Matrata and Rey Anthony Mosquito.
The following OFWs are also advised to visit their respective DOLE provincial offices: Mary Ann de la Cruz, Imelda Andrade, Rosy Obidos and Nancy Ramirez of Capiz; Presy Maravilla, Josephine Olegario, Mary Jean Mombay; Roberto Amboyoc and Jeffrey Samillano, of Antique; and Meljane Cabanero of Guimaras.
For OFW beneficiaries who are now in Manila or in other areas, Sibay said, they have to execute a special power of attorney that authorizes their representatives to claim their checks on their behalf.
Under the P10K Livelihood Assistance Program, OFW returnees who are distressed, displaced, undocumented including their immediate families and dependents can avail of the assistance for them to start or enhance their existing livelihood undertakings and eventually become self sufficient.
Sibay said if beneficiaries manage their businesses well they could also avail additional development support from the P2 Billion Reintegration Program, a special loan program launched by President Benigno Aquino and implemented by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration in partnership with Development Bank of the Philippines and the Land Bank of the Philippines. (JSC/LAF-PIA6)
See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=931399279737#sthash.9QZ2RyqK.dpuf
Bernard Sibay, Regional OFW Integration Officer of NCRO here in Region 6 said 45 applications for the P10K livelihood Assistance Program have been approved amounting to P450,000.00 and the checks are now downloaded to the DOLE provincial offices for release.
To date, 19 beneficiaries have already claimed their checks of which five received theirs from DOLE Undersecretary Ciriaco Lagunzad during his recent visit to Iloilo City.
Based on the NRCO 6 data, OFWs from the province of Negros Occidental whose applications were approved and have to claim their checks yet are: Ramile Combite, Ressia Bentic, Richard Bautista, Mark Ermeo, Ronabe Mancia, Maritess Atido, Cherryl Anatan, Rodelyn Jane Morales, Maritess Tipon, Susie Espina and Lolita Bacharo.
In the province of Iloilo, approved applicants who also have to claim their checks are: Connie Chavez, Wilma Cataloctocan, Mary Jane Jegonia, Daisy Matrata and Rey Anthony Mosquito.
The following OFWs are also advised to visit their respective DOLE provincial offices: Mary Ann de la Cruz, Imelda Andrade, Rosy Obidos and Nancy Ramirez of Capiz; Presy Maravilla, Josephine Olegario, Mary Jean Mombay; Roberto Amboyoc and Jeffrey Samillano, of Antique; and Meljane Cabanero of Guimaras.
For OFW beneficiaries who are now in Manila or in other areas, Sibay said, they have to execute a special power of attorney that authorizes their representatives to claim their checks on their behalf.
Under the P10K Livelihood Assistance Program, OFW returnees who are distressed, displaced, undocumented including their immediate families and dependents can avail of the assistance for them to start or enhance their existing livelihood undertakings and eventually become self sufficient.
Sibay said if beneficiaries manage their businesses well they could also avail additional development support from the P2 Billion Reintegration Program, a special loan program launched by President Benigno Aquino and implemented by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration in partnership with Development Bank of the Philippines and the Land Bank of the Philippines. (JSC/LAF-PIA6)
See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=931399279737#sthash.9QZ2RyqK.dpuf
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
DOLE Chief Orders Full Support to OFWs
Labor Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz has asked all regional directors of umbrella agency, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), to give full support to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), both active and inactive.
In her statement during the launching of the regional programs and projects last week, Secretary Baldoz said, “OWWA regional offices should have a profile of all active and inactive members for livelihood assistance and cash for work and it should be available if the members need it.”
Baldoz said there are funds that are intended for OFW support both from the national government and the employers’ contribution that go to the OWWA Trust fund.
Aside from the OWWA trust fund, the national government is also setting aside P50 million for our OFWs under the National Reintegration Fund. This is for the victims of maltreatment abroad who have come home and decided to work here permanently.
“They should be given alternative employment and livelihood here,” the secretary emphasized.
Baldoz added that the program also includes scholarships for the children of OFWs. She, however, said that active OFWs can also avail themselves of work-related insurance.
“Active and inactive OFWs can avail of all our programs except that only active members can avail of insurance since insurance is connected with their being active workers,” she explained.
Baldoz has also asked OWWA-9 Regional Director Hassan Gabra Jumdain to submit a separate report if there are OWWA members that are victims of the September 2013 MNLF-Misuari Group attack in the city.
“I want a separate report if there are members who are victims of the recent crisis in Zamboanga City and what are the assistance extended to them,” she stressed. (FPG/MVC/PIA9-ZBST)
In her statement during the launching of the regional programs and projects last week, Secretary Baldoz said, “OWWA regional offices should have a profile of all active and inactive members for livelihood assistance and cash for work and it should be available if the members need it.”
Baldoz said there are funds that are intended for OFW support both from the national government and the employers’ contribution that go to the OWWA Trust fund.
Aside from the OWWA trust fund, the national government is also setting aside P50 million for our OFWs under the National Reintegration Fund. This is for the victims of maltreatment abroad who have come home and decided to work here permanently.
“They should be given alternative employment and livelihood here,” the secretary emphasized.
Baldoz added that the program also includes scholarships for the children of OFWs. She, however, said that active OFWs can also avail themselves of work-related insurance.
“Active and inactive OFWs can avail of all our programs except that only active members can avail of insurance since insurance is connected with their being active workers,” she explained.
Baldoz has also asked OWWA-9 Regional Director Hassan Gabra Jumdain to submit a separate report if there are OWWA members that are victims of the September 2013 MNLF-Misuari Group attack in the city.
“I want a separate report if there are members who are victims of the recent crisis in Zamboanga City and what are the assistance extended to them,” she stressed. (FPG/MVC/PIA9-ZBST)
Monday, March 3, 2014
Baldoz to DOLE regional directors: Fast-track release of livelihood budget to survivors of calamity
Secretary of Labor and Employment Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz ordered all DOLE regional directors and program managers to fast-track the release of DOLE Integrated Livelihood Assistance Program (DILP) funds in order to enable survivors to earn decent incomes and quickly recover from the effects of the calamities.
“My instruction during our DOLE-wide planning exercise was to already roll out in the first month of 2014 the DILP funds given us by Congress, either for our regular programs or for rebuilding after Typhoon Yolanda. February is almost over, and March is coming, so I expect that our livelihood assistance to calamity survivors will already be making headway,” said Baldoz , as she expressed concern over the seemingly snail-paced move of program managers to implement programs, DOLE said in statement.
Baldoz said the DOLE targets 100,000 emergency and livelihood program beneficiaries this 2014 under a regular budget of P609.8 million and 102,011 beneficiaries under Yolanda projects with a budget of P883.98 million for the full year. “We have targets to meet, or even surpass, so we better be prepared and be fast,” she said.
Baldoz, who is in Bohol as keynote speaker in the 2nd Visayas Regional Occupational Safety and Health Summit, said all DOLE regional directors have the responsibility–and are accountable to her–for the implementation of the DILP in convergence with the Departments of Agrarian Reform; Agriculture, Interior and Local Governments; Science and Technology; Environment and Natural Resources; Trade and Industry; Social Welfare and Development; local government units, and other partners.
Baldoz observed that the DOLE Regional Office No. 7 had only released in Bohol Province in January and February P1.159 million in livelihood grants to eight workers’ livelihood enterprises with total beneficiaries of 487 individuals.
In January, the regional office released a total of P425,000 in DILP grants to the Lila Fish Vendors’ Association in Lila, Bohol, for the fish vending activities of its 77 members–55 of whom are female, in the amount of P80,500; Bungahan Farmers Association in Antequera, Bohol, for the duck raising and balut processing business of its 85 farmer-members, 27 of whom are female, in the amount of P114,000; Barangay Livestock Aide, also in Antequera, Bohol, for the duck raising and balut processing business of its 40 members, five of whom are female, in the amount of P114,000; Casabut Organic Farming System in Barangays Cabawan, Agahay, San Roque, Aliguay, Busao, and Toril in Maribojoc, Bohol, for training-cum-production on chorizo and tocino; dress-making; and cassava chips making, of its 21 female members in the amount of P177,000.
At the summit, Baldoz, joined by Bohol Governor Edgar M. Chatto and Regional Director Chona Mantilla, released the amount of P732,152.40 for the livelihood enterprises of 285 individuals, detailed as follows: (1) P269,402 to the Gotozon Balsa Performers’ Association, Loboc, Bohol, whose 92 members are engaged in tourist entertainment. The amount is for rehabilitation of their floating raft destroyed by the Bohol earthquake.
Secretary Baldoz and Gov. Chatto also handed out a check of P118,400 to the Anda Senior Citizens Association, Poblacion, Anda, Bohol, for its 76 members’ goat-raising business; P106,500 to the Lundag Farmers Association, in Anda, Bohol, for its dairy goat-raising business. The association has 37 members, 33 males and four females; P100,000 to the Anda OFW Returnees and Beneficiaries Association for its malunggay kropek business, with 41 beneficiaries, 15 of whom are male and 26 are female; and P137,850 to the Baucan Norte Farmers Association, in Balilihan, Bohol, for its dairy goat-raising enterprise. The association has 39 members, 25 of whom are male and 14 are female.(dole.gov.ph
- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=1781393668776#sthash.PvKn2r53.dpuf
“My instruction during our DOLE-wide planning exercise was to already roll out in the first month of 2014 the DILP funds given us by Congress, either for our regular programs or for rebuilding after Typhoon Yolanda. February is almost over, and March is coming, so I expect that our livelihood assistance to calamity survivors will already be making headway,” said Baldoz , as she expressed concern over the seemingly snail-paced move of program managers to implement programs, DOLE said in statement.
Baldoz said the DOLE targets 100,000 emergency and livelihood program beneficiaries this 2014 under a regular budget of P609.8 million and 102,011 beneficiaries under Yolanda projects with a budget of P883.98 million for the full year. “We have targets to meet, or even surpass, so we better be prepared and be fast,” she said.
Baldoz, who is in Bohol as keynote speaker in the 2nd Visayas Regional Occupational Safety and Health Summit, said all DOLE regional directors have the responsibility–and are accountable to her–for the implementation of the DILP in convergence with the Departments of Agrarian Reform; Agriculture, Interior and Local Governments; Science and Technology; Environment and Natural Resources; Trade and Industry; Social Welfare and Development; local government units, and other partners.
Baldoz observed that the DOLE Regional Office No. 7 had only released in Bohol Province in January and February P1.159 million in livelihood grants to eight workers’ livelihood enterprises with total beneficiaries of 487 individuals.
In January, the regional office released a total of P425,000 in DILP grants to the Lila Fish Vendors’ Association in Lila, Bohol, for the fish vending activities of its 77 members–55 of whom are female, in the amount of P80,500; Bungahan Farmers Association in Antequera, Bohol, for the duck raising and balut processing business of its 85 farmer-members, 27 of whom are female, in the amount of P114,000; Barangay Livestock Aide, also in Antequera, Bohol, for the duck raising and balut processing business of its 40 members, five of whom are female, in the amount of P114,000; Casabut Organic Farming System in Barangays Cabawan, Agahay, San Roque, Aliguay, Busao, and Toril in Maribojoc, Bohol, for training-cum-production on chorizo and tocino; dress-making; and cassava chips making, of its 21 female members in the amount of P177,000.
At the summit, Baldoz, joined by Bohol Governor Edgar M. Chatto and Regional Director Chona Mantilla, released the amount of P732,152.40 for the livelihood enterprises of 285 individuals, detailed as follows: (1) P269,402 to the Gotozon Balsa Performers’ Association, Loboc, Bohol, whose 92 members are engaged in tourist entertainment. The amount is for rehabilitation of their floating raft destroyed by the Bohol earthquake.
Secretary Baldoz and Gov. Chatto also handed out a check of P118,400 to the Anda Senior Citizens Association, Poblacion, Anda, Bohol, for its 76 members’ goat-raising business; P106,500 to the Lundag Farmers Association, in Anda, Bohol, for its dairy goat-raising business. The association has 37 members, 33 males and four females; P100,000 to the Anda OFW Returnees and Beneficiaries Association for its malunggay kropek business, with 41 beneficiaries, 15 of whom are male and 26 are female; and P137,850 to the Baucan Norte Farmers Association, in Balilihan, Bohol, for its dairy goat-raising enterprise. The association has 39 members, 25 of whom are male and 14 are female.(dole.gov.ph
- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=1781393668776#sthash.PvKn2r53.dpuf
Friday, December 13, 2013
DOLE to OFWs: Observe, learn, and comply with KSA law
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) advises overseas Filipino workers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to strictly observe, and follow the KSA law.
“Observe, comply, and honor the laws in your country of destination,” Labor & Employment chief Rosalinda Baldoz, in a statement said.
The labor chief made the statement after receiving a letter from the Assistant Secretary Petronila P. Garcia of the Department of Foreign Affairs informing the DOLE of a recent issuance from Ministry of Interior of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) entitled “Rules Governing Law-Breaching Foreign Workers”.
According to the said issuance, the Ministry of Interior, represented by its law enforcement agencies, shall undertake the pursuit, apprehension, penalizing, and deportation of foreign workers who work for their own account, or illegal labor; those who abscond from work; overstayers, including holders of Hajj, Umrah, tourism, medical treatment, transit, or visit (of all types) visas; and infiltrators arrested outside the border area. It will also pursue anyone who employs offending foreign wokers; allows his workers to work for their own account; provides cover, harbors, or transports the same or aids them by any means, as well as recruiters who do not report overstaying recruits.
An offending foreign worker shall be deported at the expense of the employer, unless the worker absconds from work and is reported immediately. Foreign workers entering the Kingdom under Hajj or Umrah visa, visit visa of all types, or other types of visa, or absconded from work, shall be deported at the expense of the person employing him.
If he is working on his own account, he shall be deported at his own expense, or at the expense of the state, if he cannot afford a ticket.
Otherwise, he shall be deported at the expense of the company, establishment, or person sponsoring his visit, the carrier, or the person providing him with cover. Any deported foreigner shall be prohibited from entering the Kingdom, in accordance with the periods and procedures specified in regulations to be issued, pursuant to a decision by the Minister of the Interior.
Hajj and Umrah companies and establishment shall notify the competent authorities of any visitor who overstays his Hajj or Umrah visa.
The same should be done by a person sponsoring a visitor who prolongs his stay in the Kingdom.
Otherwise, said sponsor shall be deemed to be committing an instance of cover up. Companies, private establishments, and individuals should ensure that the foreign workers they hire obtain and renew their iqama, or the residence, and work permits in due time.
They should not employ workers of third parties, nor allow their workers to work for third parties, without following established statutory rules or work for their account. Within five days, they should notify the competent authorities of workers absconding from work.
Violators of this rule will be deprived of the right to obtain work or visit visa for a period not exceeding five years.
Government agencies should also ensure that all foreigners working for them or in fields falling within their jurisdictions have valid iqama and work permits or are employed under officially approved contracts.
“It pays to be obedient. You will never go wrong if you are following the rules and regulations of any country you are in,” Baldoz said.
“If you have nothing to worry about, you can do you work properly and you will be able to realize what you came there for,” Baldoz added.
- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=231386828480#sthash.5B0b6KiA.dpuf
“Observe, comply, and honor the laws in your country of destination,” Labor & Employment chief Rosalinda Baldoz, in a statement said.
The labor chief made the statement after receiving a letter from the Assistant Secretary Petronila P. Garcia of the Department of Foreign Affairs informing the DOLE of a recent issuance from Ministry of Interior of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) entitled “Rules Governing Law-Breaching Foreign Workers”.
According to the said issuance, the Ministry of Interior, represented by its law enforcement agencies, shall undertake the pursuit, apprehension, penalizing, and deportation of foreign workers who work for their own account, or illegal labor; those who abscond from work; overstayers, including holders of Hajj, Umrah, tourism, medical treatment, transit, or visit (of all types) visas; and infiltrators arrested outside the border area. It will also pursue anyone who employs offending foreign wokers; allows his workers to work for their own account; provides cover, harbors, or transports the same or aids them by any means, as well as recruiters who do not report overstaying recruits.
An offending foreign worker shall be deported at the expense of the employer, unless the worker absconds from work and is reported immediately. Foreign workers entering the Kingdom under Hajj or Umrah visa, visit visa of all types, or other types of visa, or absconded from work, shall be deported at the expense of the person employing him.
If he is working on his own account, he shall be deported at his own expense, or at the expense of the state, if he cannot afford a ticket.
Otherwise, he shall be deported at the expense of the company, establishment, or person sponsoring his visit, the carrier, or the person providing him with cover. Any deported foreigner shall be prohibited from entering the Kingdom, in accordance with the periods and procedures specified in regulations to be issued, pursuant to a decision by the Minister of the Interior.
Hajj and Umrah companies and establishment shall notify the competent authorities of any visitor who overstays his Hajj or Umrah visa.
The same should be done by a person sponsoring a visitor who prolongs his stay in the Kingdom.
Otherwise, said sponsor shall be deemed to be committing an instance of cover up. Companies, private establishments, and individuals should ensure that the foreign workers they hire obtain and renew their iqama, or the residence, and work permits in due time.
They should not employ workers of third parties, nor allow their workers to work for third parties, without following established statutory rules or work for their account. Within five days, they should notify the competent authorities of workers absconding from work.
Violators of this rule will be deprived of the right to obtain work or visit visa for a period not exceeding five years.
Government agencies should also ensure that all foreigners working for them or in fields falling within their jurisdictions have valid iqama and work permits or are employed under officially approved contracts.
“It pays to be obedient. You will never go wrong if you are following the rules and regulations of any country you are in,” Baldoz said.
“If you have nothing to worry about, you can do you work properly and you will be able to realize what you came there for,” Baldoz added.
- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=231386828480#sthash.5B0b6KiA.dpuf
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Learn and Earn In New DOLE Program
Spice up your educational background with an extra skill and earn more in the future.
This is the advice of Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz to students and graduates as she encouraged them to take short-term technical-vocational courses which shall augment their degrees, or even create vast opportunities for them in the world of work.
“As the country’s labor market has gone increasingly competitive, technical and vocational training has been a reliable and cost-effective way that can help our future workforce reinforce themselves with higher chances of landing productive, in-demand jobs,” Baldoz said.
“It’s about time that students get educated with the latest labor market information. Instead of taking popular courses, those less considered courses and training programs may yet prove to be the best paying and most fulfilling. Some of these courses and training program are in the technical-vocational (tech-voc) field and offer the fastest turnaround from classroom to workplace, from new skills to paychecks,” she added.
Baldoz’s advice came as she cited computer technicians, bakers, and steamfitters as three of the in-demand technical-vocational careers featured in the DOLE’s Career Guides, which can be accessed at the Bureau of Local Employment’s website, http://ble.dole.gov.ph/career.asp.
Making another pitch for the Career Guides, Baldoz said working students who want to earn while pursuing their tertiary education or even after graduation can take up a computer technician course, or become a baker, or steamfitter.
“There is no specific educational requirement for these tech-voc careers. To become a baker, for example, one may not need to finish hefty degrees in Culinary Arts, Hotel and Restaurant Management, or to become a computer technician, one needs not have a degree in Information Technology. They only need to finish apprenticeship programs and/or short-term courses offered by training schools and centers accredited by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA),” Baldoz said.
“The DOLE, through the TESDA, provides massive technical-vocational skills training, retraining, and upgrading of workers, in response to the requirements of modern industries for highly-skilled, flexible, and more productive manpower,” she explained.
Baldoz said training courses for aspiring Bakers, Computer Technicians, and Steamfitters are being offered at P5,000 to P12,000 at TESDA accredited institutions nationwide.
The TESDA website cites training programs on commercial baking offered by the Center for Advance Training in Food and Beverage Services, while computer-related courses such as PC assembly, hardware, and software troubleshooting, laptop servicing, PC LAN/WAN set-up, and computer hardware servicing at the CATIA Foundation, Inc., and Computer Networking Career and Training Center Inc.
Meanwhile, those interested in steamfitting or pipefitting may go directly to TESDA offices to know more about the 202-hour pipefitting training course and its competency-based curriculum which covers the basic, common, and core competencies required to competently perform pipefitting tasks such as cutting bevel and thread pipes; tack welding; installing underground piping and overhead piping systems.
Local entry level salaries for these tech-voc careers range from P8,000 to P15,000 per month. Some may even go freelance or opt to work overseas. Steamfitters may earn $700 to $800 monthly, while Bakers in United States and Canada can receive monthly compensation of $2,212 to $2,238.
As for Computer Technicians, local minimum salaries range from P500 a day and up, while abroad, computer-savvy workers can earn average salaries of $18.18 per hour.
Translating into action the paradigm of “seek-find-train-certify-employ” strategy to enhance skills training and upgrading, Badloz expressed confidence that enrolling in tech-voc courses is a ‘plus factor’’ that will make students more ‘marketable’ as they become ‘specialistas’ in the country’s bank of human resources with their acquired specialized skills.
“It takes only months of apprenticeship/learnership to obtain knowledge and skills about these jobs. I advice students and jobseekers who want to earn and most importantly to experience work ethics firsthand, to try these short-term and part-time careers as they prepare themselves for the bigger world of work that awaits them,” Baldoz said.
The DOLE's 101 Career Guides feature in-demand jobs/careers viable in the next five to ten years. It describes the basic education requirements of a job, skills and competencies, attributes and characteristics, salary/compensation, prospect for career advancement, employment opportunities, and cost of education or training. It seeks to aid and supplement students and jobseekers alike, with current information on particular jobs to make informed decisions about their chosen careers. To know more about other upcoming in-demand jobs, visit DOLE’s 101 Career Guide at www.ble.dole.gov.ph.
“As the country’s labor market has gone increasingly competitive, technical and vocational training has been a reliable and cost-effective way that can help our future workforce reinforce themselves with higher chances of landing productive, in-demand jobs,” Baldoz said.
“It’s about time that students get educated with the latest labor market information. Instead of taking popular courses, those less considered courses and training programs may yet prove to be the best paying and most fulfilling. Some of these courses and training program are in the technical-vocational (tech-voc) field and offer the fastest turnaround from classroom to workplace, from new skills to paychecks,” she added.
Baldoz’s advice came as she cited computer technicians, bakers, and steamfitters as three of the in-demand technical-vocational careers featured in the DOLE’s Career Guides, which can be accessed at the Bureau of Local Employment’s website, http://ble.dole.gov.ph/career.asp.
Making another pitch for the Career Guides, Baldoz said working students who want to earn while pursuing their tertiary education or even after graduation can take up a computer technician course, or become a baker, or steamfitter.
“There is no specific educational requirement for these tech-voc careers. To become a baker, for example, one may not need to finish hefty degrees in Culinary Arts, Hotel and Restaurant Management, or to become a computer technician, one needs not have a degree in Information Technology. They only need to finish apprenticeship programs and/or short-term courses offered by training schools and centers accredited by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA),” Baldoz said.
“The DOLE, through the TESDA, provides massive technical-vocational skills training, retraining, and upgrading of workers, in response to the requirements of modern industries for highly-skilled, flexible, and more productive manpower,” she explained.
Baldoz said training courses for aspiring Bakers, Computer Technicians, and Steamfitters are being offered at P5,000 to P12,000 at TESDA accredited institutions nationwide.
The TESDA website cites training programs on commercial baking offered by the Center for Advance Training in Food and Beverage Services, while computer-related courses such as PC assembly, hardware, and software troubleshooting, laptop servicing, PC LAN/WAN set-up, and computer hardware servicing at the CATIA Foundation, Inc., and Computer Networking Career and Training Center Inc.
Meanwhile, those interested in steamfitting or pipefitting may go directly to TESDA offices to know more about the 202-hour pipefitting training course and its competency-based curriculum which covers the basic, common, and core competencies required to competently perform pipefitting tasks such as cutting bevel and thread pipes; tack welding; installing underground piping and overhead piping systems.
Local entry level salaries for these tech-voc careers range from P8,000 to P15,000 per month. Some may even go freelance or opt to work overseas. Steamfitters may earn $700 to $800 monthly, while Bakers in United States and Canada can receive monthly compensation of $2,212 to $2,238.
As for Computer Technicians, local minimum salaries range from P500 a day and up, while abroad, computer-savvy workers can earn average salaries of $18.18 per hour.
Translating into action the paradigm of “seek-find-train-certify-employ” strategy to enhance skills training and upgrading, Badloz expressed confidence that enrolling in tech-voc courses is a ‘plus factor’’ that will make students more ‘marketable’ as they become ‘specialistas’ in the country’s bank of human resources with their acquired specialized skills.
“It takes only months of apprenticeship/learnership to obtain knowledge and skills about these jobs. I advice students and jobseekers who want to earn and most importantly to experience work ethics firsthand, to try these short-term and part-time careers as they prepare themselves for the bigger world of work that awaits them,” Baldoz said.
The DOLE's 101 Career Guides feature in-demand jobs/careers viable in the next five to ten years. It describes the basic education requirements of a job, skills and competencies, attributes and characteristics, salary/compensation, prospect for career advancement, employment opportunities, and cost of education or training. It seeks to aid and supplement students and jobseekers alike, with current information on particular jobs to make informed decisions about their chosen careers. To know more about other upcoming in-demand jobs, visit DOLE’s 101 Career Guide at www.ble.dole.gov.ph.
source: DOLE
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Government Feady for OFWs repatriates from Syria
Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday said the government is ready to receive and assist overseas Filipino workers, mostly women domestic service workers, who may be repatriated from civil-strife torn Syria.
Baldoz issued the statement after the Department of Foreign Affairs raised the crisis alert level in Syria from Alert Level 3 to Alert Level 4 in view of the escalating violence in that country. Under Alert Level 4, the Philippine government will implement a mandatory repatriation of OFWs at its own expense.
The labor and employment chief said that the DOLE is enjoining OFWs in Syria to avail of the mandatory repatriation program of the government, saying that coming home to the Philippines will ensure their welfare, safety, and protection.
“We are prepared to assist them in with a package of assistance when they arrive,” Baldoz said.
Baldoz said that OFWs from Syria will be provided sufficient support under the national Reintegration Program for OFWs, under which several programs are in place and are being implemented.
One reintegration package she cited is the Balik-Pinay, Balik Hanap-buhay Program which is dedicated for distressed women OFWs.
Under the Balik-Pinay, Balik-Hanapbuhay Program, the National Reintegration Center for OFWs of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, an attached agency of the DOLE, provides a P10,000.00 livelihood/business development assistance to returning women OFWs.
The P10,000.00 is intended as a start-up capital for livelihood undertakings that a recipient may choose to engage in, such as trading or general merchandise sales/dealership; neighborhood store; agri-business; food service; services; e-load station; and production or manufacturing.
Baldoz said that since it was implemented, the NRCO has already disbursed P16.923 million to 1,630 individual OFWs and eight (8) OFW groups in all of the country’s 15 regions.
She also explained that OFW returnees from Syria may avail of skills training under the Balik-Pinay, Balik-Hanapbuhay Program, under which a returning woman OFW will be trained in various skills, such as cosmetology, haircutting, foot spa, food processing, massage, reflexology, baking, native snack preparation, handicraft, flower arrangement, dress making, beauty care, and pedicure and manicure after which they will be provided with service business starter kits which they can use to engage in home businesses.
This year, 748 women OFWs who have returned to stay permanently have received skills training and received business starter kits under this program.
For OFWs with their sights on bigger businesses, Baldoz said they could avail of the low-interest, collateral-free loans offered under the P2-billion OFW Reintegration Program. OFW borrowers can borrow as much as P2 million in loans for their business of choice.
Under this program, 299 OFW returnees have already availed of P51.918 million in loans to kick-start various small and medium businesses, such as trading, agri-business, franchising, wellness, handicraft, services, schools, internet, food manufacturing, and medical and dental clinics.
“For OFWs in Syria who will return to the Philippines, we encourage them to remain in the country because there are jobs and other non-wage employment opportunities that are waiting for them, where the pay or income is much greater than their salaries as domestic service workers in Syria,” Baldoz said.
“If they remain in the country, we could better protect them. It will also minimize the social cost of being away from their homeland which could be higher in vulnerable occupations like domestic work,” Baldoz finally said.
Baldoz issued the statement after the Department of Foreign Affairs raised the crisis alert level in Syria from Alert Level 3 to Alert Level 4 in view of the escalating violence in that country. Under Alert Level 4, the Philippine government will implement a mandatory repatriation of OFWs at its own expense.
The labor and employment chief said that the DOLE is enjoining OFWs in Syria to avail of the mandatory repatriation program of the government, saying that coming home to the Philippines will ensure their welfare, safety, and protection.
“We are prepared to assist them in with a package of assistance when they arrive,” Baldoz said.
Baldoz said that OFWs from Syria will be provided sufficient support under the national Reintegration Program for OFWs, under which several programs are in place and are being implemented.
One reintegration package she cited is the Balik-Pinay, Balik Hanap-buhay Program which is dedicated for distressed women OFWs.
Under the Balik-Pinay, Balik-Hanapbuhay Program, the National Reintegration Center for OFWs of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, an attached agency of the DOLE, provides a P10,000.00 livelihood/business development assistance to returning women OFWs.
The P10,000.00 is intended as a start-up capital for livelihood undertakings that a recipient may choose to engage in, such as trading or general merchandise sales/dealership; neighborhood store; agri-business; food service; services; e-load station; and production or manufacturing.
Baldoz said that since it was implemented, the NRCO has already disbursed P16.923 million to 1,630 individual OFWs and eight (8) OFW groups in all of the country’s 15 regions.
She also explained that OFW returnees from Syria may avail of skills training under the Balik-Pinay, Balik-Hanapbuhay Program, under which a returning woman OFW will be trained in various skills, such as cosmetology, haircutting, foot spa, food processing, massage, reflexology, baking, native snack preparation, handicraft, flower arrangement, dress making, beauty care, and pedicure and manicure after which they will be provided with service business starter kits which they can use to engage in home businesses.
This year, 748 women OFWs who have returned to stay permanently have received skills training and received business starter kits under this program.
For OFWs with their sights on bigger businesses, Baldoz said they could avail of the low-interest, collateral-free loans offered under the P2-billion OFW Reintegration Program. OFW borrowers can borrow as much as P2 million in loans for their business of choice.
Under this program, 299 OFW returnees have already availed of P51.918 million in loans to kick-start various small and medium businesses, such as trading, agri-business, franchising, wellness, handicraft, services, schools, internet, food manufacturing, and medical and dental clinics.
“For OFWs in Syria who will return to the Philippines, we encourage them to remain in the country because there are jobs and other non-wage employment opportunities that are waiting for them, where the pay or income is much greater than their salaries as domestic service workers in Syria,” Baldoz said.
“If they remain in the country, we could better protect them. It will also minimize the social cost of being away from their homeland which could be higher in vulnerable occupations like domestic work,” Baldoz finally said.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
13th Month Pay Is Mandatory
To this effect, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz, issued Department Advisory No. 03, series of 2010, citing Section 8 of Presidential Decree No. 851 which required employers to pay their employees a 13th month pay on or before December 24 of every year.
Baldoz said every covered employer shall make a report of his compliance with the Decree to the nearest DOLE Regional Office not later than January 15 of each year, adding that the report shall conform substantially to the following form contents:
(1) Name of Establishment
(2) Address
(3) Principal product or business
(4) Total employment
(5) Total number of workers benefited
(6) Amount granted per employee
(7) Total amount of benefits granted
(8) Name, position and telephone number of person giving information
The Labor and Employment chief said that while the law definitely requires employers to pay their rank-and-file employees 13th month pay, the generous granting of a Christmas bonus on the other hand remains basically a management prerogative.
Baldoz reiterated that the Christmas bonus is not a part of such benefit as mandated by law, though employers may also grant their workers bonuses on top of the 13th month pay, depending on their discretion, or collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and other agreements.
Meanwhile, the DOLE’s Bureau of Working Conditions (BWC) has clarified the salient provisions of PD 851 requiring all employers to pay their employees a 13th month pay.
The BWC, which is the DOLE’s agency administering the country’s laws on working conditions, said that the 13th month pay which all employers are required to pay their employees, must not be less than one-twelfth (1/12) of the total basic salary earned by an employee in a calendar year.
While all employers are required to pay their employees the 13th month pay not later than December 24 of every year, an employer may, however, give to his or her employees one-half (1/2) of it before the opening of the school year and the remaining half on or before December 24.
For this purpose, the frequency of payment of the monetary benefit may be the subject of an agreement between the employer and the recognized collective bargaining agent of the employees, the BWC stressed.
“Any query on this story, please dial the Bureau of Working Conditions at trunk line 527-3000, local 302.”
Thursday, September 2, 2010
DOLE pushes for intensified Japanese Language Training Program for Overseas Filipino Workers
Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda D. Baldoz said the intensified language training for aspiring OFW nurses and caregivers for Japan will raise the jobseekers probability of the tough licensure examinations set by the host country for foreign medical workers.
Baldoz recalled that latest information indicated simply 1.2 percent of overseas jobseekers have passed the exams and that no foreign jobseeker passed last year’s exams due to the difficulty of the examinees to comprehend kanji and technical language written in Japanese.
In order to remedy the crisis, Baldoz sought the suggestions of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Tokyo, Japan to address the problem and came up with a number of solutions.
POLO-Tokyo Officer-in-Charge and Welfare Officer Maria Luz Talento said the language training programs should concentrate on communication skills more than simply language skills, adding that even though candidate nurses and caregivers are able to speak Japanese which clearly benefits their hospitals and/or welfare institutions, it cannot make up for an inability to communicate verbally (and in writing) with their co-workers and immediate superiors in their place of work.
Talento stated an occupation-specific language and communication skills training program is necessary not just to redress conflict and prevent miscommunications, but also to obtain jobs and retain them as well.
The POLO head said a successful occupation-specific language and communication skills training program should include some form of labor market support including but not limited to, orientations about workplace diversity, Japanese legal system, and Japanese workplace culture with topics on verbal and non-verbal communication, work values and expectations, and work relationship.
Talento also mentioned that the reason for the coming back home of the 18 Filipinos are not because that they are discouraged of not passing the exams but rather because of personal (family) and/or health reasons, adding that based on interviews made with the Overseas Filipino Workers, mainly all of them even suggested that their partaking to their first examination was a “valuable learning experience for them to get a feel of the examinations.”
Talento said the OFWs did not divulge, in any way or manner, that they are being discouraged as a result of their slim prospects of passing the Japanese licensure examinations.
Source: Labor Communications Office
Baldoz recalled that latest information indicated simply 1.2 percent of overseas jobseekers have passed the exams and that no foreign jobseeker passed last year’s exams due to the difficulty of the examinees to comprehend kanji and technical language written in Japanese.
In order to remedy the crisis, Baldoz sought the suggestions of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Tokyo, Japan to address the problem and came up with a number of solutions.
POLO-Tokyo Officer-in-Charge and Welfare Officer Maria Luz Talento said the language training programs should concentrate on communication skills more than simply language skills, adding that even though candidate nurses and caregivers are able to speak Japanese which clearly benefits their hospitals and/or welfare institutions, it cannot make up for an inability to communicate verbally (and in writing) with their co-workers and immediate superiors in their place of work.
Talento stated an occupation-specific language and communication skills training program is necessary not just to redress conflict and prevent miscommunications, but also to obtain jobs and retain them as well.
The POLO head said a successful occupation-specific language and communication skills training program should include some form of labor market support including but not limited to, orientations about workplace diversity, Japanese legal system, and Japanese workplace culture with topics on verbal and non-verbal communication, work values and expectations, and work relationship.
Talento also mentioned that the reason for the coming back home of the 18 Filipinos are not because that they are discouraged of not passing the exams but rather because of personal (family) and/or health reasons, adding that based on interviews made with the Overseas Filipino Workers, mainly all of them even suggested that their partaking to their first examination was a “valuable learning experience for them to get a feel of the examinations.”
Talento said the OFWs did not divulge, in any way or manner, that they are being discouraged as a result of their slim prospects of passing the Japanese licensure examinations.
Source: Labor Communications Office
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Warning: Beware of Fake Labor Inspectors
Department of Labor and Employment – National Capital Region (DOLE-NCR) Regional Director Raymundo G. Agravante forewarns employers in Metro Manila of the modus operandi of “pseudo” labor inspectors who ride the tide of project LEAP to extort money from companies found with violations on core labor standards.
DOLE implements Project Labor Enforcement and Action Program (LEAP) to achieve a 70 percent target in employer’s compliance with the minimum wage and other labor standards. Project LEAP is an intensive inspection program that uses a zonal approach in spot checking establishments employing 10-199 workers.
For three weeks now, DOLE-NCR is inspecting establishments in the Metro Manila to find out if companies are complying with core labor standards and impose corrective measures for violators in line with the labor and employment agenda of Pres. Benigno Simeom C. Aquino III.
“Our Labor Inspectors are issued with a corresponding DOLE ID, the Project LEAP ID and brings with them the duly signed Inspection Authority as they perform their duty. Very soon, employers can also check at the DOLE-NCR website the names and pictures of inspectors involved in Project LEAP so they can avoid fake individuals pretending to be Labor Inspectors who extort money from them. We are in the process of refining some technicalities in the posting of their pictures in the website to effect transparency in inspection,” said Director Agravante.
While awaiting for the web postings, employers can call the DOLE-NCR Technical Support and Service Division on Labor Relations and Labor Standards (TSSD-LRLS) at telephone number 339-2017 or the Bureau of Working Conditions (BWC) at telephone number 527-3000 local 307 to 308 to check the identity of Labor Inspectors who visit their establishments.
Currently, there are 56 labor inspectors visiting different establishments in the cities of Makati and Pasay, the inspection team will move from one district to another in the succeeding months. The DOLE-NCR Inspectorate is augmented by labor inspectors coming from other regions like Cordillera Administrative Region, Region 1, Region V and from the Bureau of Working Conditions.
More than 6,000 establishments in Metro Manila will be subject for inspection until the end of November 2010. Labor Inspectors will verify employers compliance as to; minimum wage, 13th month pay, holiday, premium, overtime and night differential pay, leave and other benefits like SSS, Pag-ibig and Philhealth contributions. Firms found with violations will be issued with a Compliance Order and a labor standards case will be filed in the event the employer fails to correct them.
During the first two weeks of Project LEAP in Makati and Pasay, there were 1,001 establishments inspected out of the 1,100 target or a 91% accomplishment rate. Three hundred fifty four (354) were found with Labor Standards violations, six hundred forty seven (647) were Labor Standards compliant, and thirteen (13) establishments complied with plant level corrections, which brings the compliance rate to 65.93%.
DOLE implements Project Labor Enforcement and Action Program (LEAP) to achieve a 70 percent target in employer’s compliance with the minimum wage and other labor standards. Project LEAP is an intensive inspection program that uses a zonal approach in spot checking establishments employing 10-199 workers.
For three weeks now, DOLE-NCR is inspecting establishments in the Metro Manila to find out if companies are complying with core labor standards and impose corrective measures for violators in line with the labor and employment agenda of Pres. Benigno Simeom C. Aquino III.
“Our Labor Inspectors are issued with a corresponding DOLE ID, the Project LEAP ID and brings with them the duly signed Inspection Authority as they perform their duty. Very soon, employers can also check at the DOLE-NCR website the names and pictures of inspectors involved in Project LEAP so they can avoid fake individuals pretending to be Labor Inspectors who extort money from them. We are in the process of refining some technicalities in the posting of their pictures in the website to effect transparency in inspection,” said Director Agravante.
While awaiting for the web postings, employers can call the DOLE-NCR Technical Support and Service Division on Labor Relations and Labor Standards (TSSD-LRLS) at telephone number 339-2017 or the Bureau of Working Conditions (BWC) at telephone number 527-3000 local 307 to 308 to check the identity of Labor Inspectors who visit their establishments.
Currently, there are 56 labor inspectors visiting different establishments in the cities of Makati and Pasay, the inspection team will move from one district to another in the succeeding months. The DOLE-NCR Inspectorate is augmented by labor inspectors coming from other regions like Cordillera Administrative Region, Region 1, Region V and from the Bureau of Working Conditions.
More than 6,000 establishments in Metro Manila will be subject for inspection until the end of November 2010. Labor Inspectors will verify employers compliance as to; minimum wage, 13th month pay, holiday, premium, overtime and night differential pay, leave and other benefits like SSS, Pag-ibig and Philhealth contributions. Firms found with violations will be issued with a Compliance Order and a labor standards case will be filed in the event the employer fails to correct them.
During the first two weeks of Project LEAP in Makati and Pasay, there were 1,001 establishments inspected out of the 1,100 target or a 91% accomplishment rate. Three hundred fifty four (354) were found with Labor Standards violations, six hundred forty seven (647) were Labor Standards compliant, and thirteen (13) establishments complied with plant level corrections, which brings the compliance rate to 65.93%.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)