Top Ten Ways to Avoid Illegal Recruitment in Working Abroad

The majority of the Filipino workforce dreamed of working abroad.  That is why many Filipinos are giving up a lot of their resources or assets just to work abroad.  However many are also taking advantage of aspiring Overseas Filipinos Workers (OFW) and trying to make a quick buck from them.


This article will explain how aspiring Overseas Filipino Workers can avoid illegal recruitment and saved their money from being handed over to the wrong people.

1. Apply only to recruitment agencies that are licensed or accredited by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).  Not all recruitment agencies in the Philippines are allowed to deploy Filipinos abroad, a recruitment agency needs to comply with the requirements set by the POEA such as the escrow account, business licenses, etc.  

2.  Deal only with licensed agencies with valid job orders.     

3. Conduct business only with persons who is an authorized representative of a licensed agency.  One of the policy of POEA for the licensed recruitment agency is for them to register their employees with the POEA.  

4.  Transact business within the registered address of the agency. Whenever recruitment is conducted in the province, check if the agency has a provincial recruitment authority.     

5.  Pay not more than the allowed placement fee. It should be equivalent to one month salary, exclusive of documentation and processing costs.   

6.  Do not pay any placement fee unless you have a valid employment contract and an official receipt.  The official receipt will serve as an evidence just in case the OFW wishes to file a case against the Philippine Recruitment Agency.

7.   Do not be enticed by ads or brochures requiring you to reply to unknown address such as a Post Office (P.O.) Box.  Furthermore do not enclose or send payment for processing of papers to an unverified person or entity.

8.   Do not deal with training centers and travel agencies, which promise overseas employment.  Take note that travel agencies and training centers are not allowed to recruit aspiring Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW).  

9.   Do not accept a tourist visa.

10.  Don't deal with fixers.

Remembering these points on how an aspiring Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) can avoid illegal recruitment can save the jobseeker's hard earned money from persons taking advantage of the jobseeker's endeavor in working abroad.

Tips To Overcome Home Sickness While Working Abroad

Home sickness is defined as distress caused by separation from a specific home environment. Students who join universities and colleges or those who go abroad are affected by homesickness. As they are exposed to different environments and new people they are sometimes overcome by homesickness. Some students don't get homesick, but there are others who are overwhelmed by the new experience. The main signs and symptoms of homesickness are: Nostalgia, grief, depression, anxiety, topophilia, adjustment disorders, withdrawal, sadness, claustrophobia, and agoraphobia. Homesickness is felt more by the people who are furthest from home for example international volunteers, international students, international workers and expats. Homesickness can strike at any moment, one week into the volunteer work abroad or a month later. It's natural for volunteers to become homesick as they are many miles away from home and they can't go back as soon as they want.

Here are a couple of remedies to homesickness:

1.  Keep in touch.  Keeping in touch with family and old friends who are at home, is one of way of keeping homesickness at bay. The volunteers can use the following to keep in touch: emails, Skype, Facebook, Tweeter, calling and texting. Most of these resources are available in many parts of the world unless the volunteer is in remote areas. The quality of the resources varies depending on the location of the volunteer for example the speed and availability of internet. When feeling lonely and homesick the volunteer could try and communicate with those who are back at home. Talking to them will lift up the spirits of the volunteers. Finding out things that are going on at home will help the volunteer feel connected to their families.

2.  Carry something from home. Carrying something from home could help the volunteer overcome homesickness. Carry things that have some sentimental value and could remind the volunteer of home. The volunteer can carry developed photos, a pillow from home, perfume or cologne of a loved one, favorite movies, music, stuffed animals and an old scrapbook. Having these familiar things will make the place where the volunteer is staying more comfortable. These small mementos remind the volunteers about home and make him or her happy.

3.  Make friends.  Making new friends is a great way to get over homesickness. While the volunteer is abroad, s/he should make friends with the local people and other volunteers. As there will be other volunteers working with them, they will help to adjust to the new environment. The other volunteers will help to form a support network whereby they will help solve common problems. The volunteer will be able to talk about his or her feelings about missing home and the others will help them. The other volunteers will cheer up the homesick volunteer. Constantly meeting new people will take the volunteers mind away from home and help to embrace the new environment. Meeting new people will help to fit into the new culture. Spending time with other people cures homesickness.

4.  Keep busy.  Volunteers feel homesick the most when they are idle. When they feel homesick the volunteer should look for activities to keep their minds engaged. The volunteers should focus on the volunteer abroad work and look for ways to be more productive. They could stick to a schedule that keeps their minds occupied. When the volunteers are not working, they look for other interests and hobbies that will keep them busy. They should try to keep up with their hobbies while they are abroad. They should take this opportunity to make the most of their stay by visiting new places and finding out new experiences. The busier the volunteer is the less time s/he will be feel homesick.

Article Source: http://travel.ezinemark.com/how-to-overcome-home-sickness-while-volunteering-abroad-170852b7188.html

Photo courtesy of SXC.HU