OFWs and Expats Need To Close Bank Account Before Exit

Expats and Overseas Filipinos working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are advised to close their bank accounts prior to exiting the Kingdom.

In a report via Arab News: 

"The Interior Ministry (of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) has warned citizens and residents to be careful with their bank accounts by not allowing anyone to use their accounts for terrorism-related purposes.

Specifically, security expert Nayef Al-Marwani said that these bank accounts remain a dangerous security breach and may help in the financing of terrorism electronically between individuals. He added that most cases of terrorism depend on such modes of electronic finance, which is proven to have been used to fuel the events of Sept. 11, 2001 in the United States.
Al-Marwani said that it was essential that the parties concerned are made aware of this and make closing their accounts prior to departing the Kingdom a top priority.
Al-Marwani also suggested that as soon as expats apply for their final exit visa, this should be contingent upon the person closing their bank account prior to the visa being supplied."

Source: Arab News
Update from one of the commenter:

©2015 THOUGHTSKOTO

GCC Health Director: Philippines sends 'sick' maids to the Gulf Countries

In a report via Emirates 24/7, Dr Tawfiq Khowja, director general of the executive office of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) health ministers said that, "many housemaids coming from the Philippines to work in the oil-rich Gulf have been found to be sick in the absence of measures to examine them before they arrive". 

We suspect that this was in relation to the abolition of the GAMCA or the Gulf Approved Medical Centres Association which was abolished and instead allowing OFWs to choose clinics for physical and medical exams as long as the hospital are within the lists of accredited hospitals by DOH. 

SEE LISTS HERE

Dr. Khowja said: “Many of those centres are forging medical reports issued for those maids and other domestic workers…this has led to a large increase in Philippine domestic workers who are sick or are unfit for work,” he said.

“We have received many reports about Gulf families complaining that they have discovered that their maids are suffering from diseases including diabetes and high blood pressure and that they have to be taken to hospitals quite often…most of those reports said the employers found that their maids are not fit for that job.”

Khowja said the executive office has reported the problem to the Riyadh-based GCC secretariat to take the necessary measures.

Read the news Source
Is is true? What measures that the Philippine government and recruitment agencies are taking to avoid this to happen and to ensure that this is being addressed properly?

On the other hand, some hospitals and medical centers in the Philippines are accused of having modus, the tanim sakit that victimized OFWs and those applying for jobs abroad. 

©2015 THOUGHTSKOTO

LIST OF 2015 ACCREDITED MARITIME SCHOOLS IN THE PHILIPPINES

Here are the list of the 2015 accredited schools and academies from the Maritime Industry Authority of the Philippines. 

The following courses are offered in designated schools
Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation

 
Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering

Check the whole list above for:

Maritime Higher Education Institutions eligible to offer the ratings (deck) program that have expressed their interest to offer the Enhanced Support Level Program (ESLP-Deck) (as of 23 February 2015)

Maritime Higher Education Institutions eligible to offer the ratings (deck) program that have NOT yet expressed their interest to offer the Enhanced Support Level Program (ESLP-Deck) (as of 23 February 2015)

Maritime Higher Education Institutions eligible to offer the ratings (engine) program that have expressed their interest to offer the Enhanced Support Level Program (ESLP) (Engine) (as at 23 February 2015)

Maritime Higher Education Institutions with a MERCHANT MARINE (DECK) OFFICER PROGRAM (Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation) undergoing further review (as of 23 February 2015)

Maritime Higher Education Institutions MERCHANT MARINE (ENGINEER) OFFICER PROGRAM (Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering) undergoing further review (as of 23 February 2015)

©2015 THOUGHTSKOTO

YOU SHOULD NOT BRING THESE ITEMS WHEN FLYING TO SAUDI ARABIA

ARRIVAL PROCEDURES

1. Upon arrival, the passenger proceeds to the inspection counter at the international terminal.

2. The officer examines the passenger's passport. A picture and finger print might be taken at the airport.

3. The passenger puts his personal effects on the X-Ray device for examination.

4. If the customs inspector suspects any piece of luggage he will open it.

5. When the examination is completed, a label is fixed on the luggage.

6. The customs security officer checks that the label is available on the arriving passenger's suitcases and luggage at the exit gate. 

TO KEEP OUR BAGGAGES SAFE AND TO KEEP THE SYNDICATE FROM PUTTING DRUGS, READ THIS. 

BELOW ARE ITEMS PROHIBITED TO BRING INSIDE SAUDI ARABIA. OTHERS MAY DISPUTE ABOUT SOME ITEMS, BUT BETTER BE SAFE THAN SORRY. WE ENCOURAGE OFWS AND OTHERS TO SHARE THIS MESSAGE. 

·        Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (NOTE THIS IS PUNISHABLE BY BEHEADINGS or DEATH)

·        Dangerous and Hazardous Chemicals

·        Pork and Ham and any products containing Pork. Scanners are equipped with pork detection devices and sometimes pork-sniffing dogs are visible at the airport. 

·        Alcoholic drinks and beverages, wine and liquors

·        Items that may contain alcohol like wine for cooking

·        Personal disinfectant alcohol like ethyl or isopropyl alcohol

·        Books relating to how to make alcohol or wine.

·        Medicines – Some doctors prescription is required

·        Crosses and Crucifix or anything of the likes.

·        Figurines, statues or objects of human or animal form which maybe suspected for use in religious worship other than personal use, example of such are Mother Mary statues and posters, Rosary, Buddha figurines, religious carvings, altars and other posters.

·        Weapons of any kind, ornamental or toys including toy guns, ammunition, firecrackers, fireworks, spears, small knife or swiss knife, even nail cutter with a small knife, anything sharp or that are edged materials. This can result to imprisonment or delays at the airport for questioning.

·        Pornographic materials, magazines, dvd’s and even those that might be stored in your phone.

·        Politically sensitive materials especially against Saudi Arabia and the religion, Islam

·   Religious materials against the Kingdom’s religion. We should respect and remember that Saudi is home to the two Holy Mosques to the Muslim religion. Utmost respect and reverence is requested.

·     Radio transmitter/communication equipment (including walkie-talkies, short-wave, VHF, marine, police band equipment, etc.)

·        Binoculars or telescopic equipment

·        Tasers or those use by police to electrified suspected criminals

·        Military equipments and uniforms

·        Taxidermy, ivory and fur

·        Gemstones, jewelry, natural pearls

·        Israeli she-gel

Declaration of Cash Amounts, Bearer Negotiable Instruments And Precious Metals: The Saudi Customs welcomes you and reminds every passenger or responsible family ‎member upon arrival or departure that whoever carries cash amounts, bearer ‎negotiable instruments or precious metals exceeding SR‏60,000 ‏or the equivalent in ‎foreign currency, must declare them to the customs officer and fill out the declaration ‎form. Failure to make declaration will subject them to confiscation, and the bearer ‎will be liable to legal penalties . Hazardous Materials: Entry of arms, fireworks, fire-crackers, and sharp cutlasses and swords is prohibited unless after having a prior permit from the Ministry of Interior. Pet and Birds: Bringing pet to Saudi Arabia requires an official health certificate and examination by the quarantine office. Birds of All Kinds require a permit from National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development. Medicines and Herbal Medical: Medicines of all kinds shall not be released unless after being presented the Ministry of Health’s representative.

©2015 THOUGHTSKOTO

Filipino Nurse in UK Accused of Killing 3 and Poisoning 18.

A nurse has been charged with the murder of three people following their deaths at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport in 2011.

Image from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

Victorino Chua, 48, of Churchill Street, Heaton Norris, is also charged with 31 other offences including GBH and attempted poisoning.

He is accused of murdering patients Tracey Arden, 44, Arnold Lancaster, 71, and Alfred Derek Weaver, 83.

From the

Daily Mail: The Filipino father of two, writing in broken English, states: "I'm evil at the same time angel.

"I love working in SHH (Stepping Hill Hospital) some of the staff are nice some of them are nasty bitch... Work also don't help colleagues are bullies..."

In at times rambling passages, Chua writes about his early life and career, about losing his job at a hospital in his native country and his rows with fellow Filipinos in the UK. He says he tried unsuccessfully to sue a previous employer in the UK and he made a complaint to medical watchdogs over treatment he had received from a GP.

READ THE LETTER HERE

©2015 THOUGHTSKOTO

Filipina Nurse Fighting with Another Nurse Fined for Salary Deduction & Possible Dismissal

An ArabNews reported that two nurses were fined and recommended for dismissal because of fighting inside the hospital. One of the nurses is a Filipina. Watch the video.

The news says:

"The department of health in Qunfuda has fined two nurses 15 days pay each, and recommended their dismissal for fighting physically at their hospital.

The incident caused panic among staff, patients and visitors at the hospital, according to a statement released by the department. The two had fought over a disagreement while on duty in the emergency section at Therban General Hospital in Al-Ardhiyat.

A committee formed to investigate the matter made the recommendations. This came after a video clip of the incident surfaced on social media.

The department said that the nurses were punished because they violated the code for health workers. It said the incident had been thoroughly investigated by seeking eyewitness accounts from staff, patients and visitors."

Source: Arabnews

©2015 THOUGHTSKOTO

Renting a House Abroad Without Paying It Can Land You To Jail.

May balitang lumabas sa Saudi Gazette na ang mga nangungupahan daw na hindi nakakapagbayad ng upa ay ikukulong. Ayun pa sa isang nanay na lumabas ang resulta ng paglilitis at may papel na siyang hawak na ipinapakulong siya dahil sa hindi pagbabayad ng upa sa bahay. Sabi niya na masyadong “harsh” ang ganitong verdict sa kaso, ang mabilanggo kasama ang mga kriminal.

Ayun naman sa korte, ang parusa daw sa hindi pagbabayad ng rent ay pagbibigay ng abiso ng hindi tatagal sa isang buwan para makahanap ng malipatang bahay o pagpapalayas sa nakatira. Inamin din na masyadong madami na daw ang kaso ng mga hindi pagbabayad ng upa kung kaya’t kinakailangang pagkabilango na ang magiging kaparusahan. Sa Jeddah daw ay 1,173 na kaso, sa Riyadh ay 1,128, sa Makkah ay 883, sa Madinah ay 667, sa Dammam ay 526 at sa Al-Khobar ay 334 na kaso.

Samantala, sa UAE naman lumabas ang balita sa The Filipino Times na padami na ng padami ang mga Pinoy doon na inaayawan ng mga kumpanya ng real estate at mga may-ari ng bahay paupahan sa kadahilanang nagsasama-sama ang mga Pinoy, nagpapaupa, ng bedspacing, laging nagpaparty sa bahay na nakakaistorbo sa mga kapitbahay at pagluluto ng mga maamoy na pagkain kagaya ng pritong tuyo o daing.

Dahil padami ng padami ang mga nagtratrabaho sa UAE, nagging mapili na ang landlords sa kanilang pinapaupa. Sa ngayon daw, ang ibang mga landlords ay nagrerequire na na ang mga uupa ay pagbigay ng kopya ng bank certificates, o salary certificates para maipakita kung may kakayahan daw ba silang mangupa ng bahay ayun sa kanilang sahod o kinikita, dahil kung mas mababa ang sahod, malamang daw na ipapaupa nito sa iba ang flat o bahay kaya nagsisikipan.

May iba pa daw na mga Pinoy na pinarenovate at pinalagyan ng mga division at bahay at kwarto ng walang pahintulot o hindi ipinaalam sa may-ari. Nauso din daw ang family apartment tapos pinapaupa ng isang pamilya sa ibang Pinoy ang ibang kwarto. Isa din daw sa mga problema ng sharing o pagpapaupa sa ibang tao ay ang cohabitation, o ang pagsasama, bilang bedspace, sa isang kwarto kahit babae o lalaki dahil ito ay isang serious offense, ang pagsasama ng kwarto kahit hindi kasal.

Sa Saudi Arabia, mahigit sa isang milyon ang mga OFW at mga pamilya nito. Sa UAE naman ay nasa 700,000 mahigit ang mga OFW na nandoon. 

Maraming challenges ang mga Pinoy sa abroad ngayon, at isa na dito ang pahigpit na pahigpit na mga batas. Sana lang wag ng mapuna lalo na sa Saudi itong pagpapaupa at itong pagsasama sa isang flat ng isang pamilya at mga single o bachelor sapagkat maraming kababayan ang maapektuhan.

©2014 THOUGHTSKOTO