Having a smartphone with internet and social media access is now a usual thing and even kids own it. For the overseas Filipino workers (OFW) who are miles away from their loved ones, it is a necessity.
On the new memorandum of understanding signed between the government of the Philippines and Kuwait, which ended the deployment ban of OFWs to Kuwait, one of the provisions is to allow household service workers to own a smartphone in order to connect with their family back home.
Being allowed to have a smartphone has its many advantages if it is being used correctly and appropriately, otherwise, it can cause problems and it can cost even our cherished overseas job.
On the new memorandum of understanding signed between the government of the Philippines and Kuwait, which ended the deployment ban of OFWs to Kuwait, one of the provisions is to allow household service workers to own a smartphone in order to connect with their family back home.
Being allowed to have a smartphone has its many advantages if it is being used correctly and appropriately, otherwise, it can cause problems and it can cost even our cherished overseas job.
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We collate tips on how to use your smartphone and social media accounts wisely to save from any possible problems that might arise if you do not use them right especially if you are working in the Middle East.
Just recently, an OFW who recorded a video of her sponsor in Saudi Arabia without permission is on the brink of deportation and losing her job because she posted the said video recording on social media showing her female sponsor not wearing a headdress. It is strictly not allowed!
Another domestic worker was charged with child pornography in Hong Kong by doing a Facebook live video of her sponsor's kid taking a bath.
In cases of abusive sponsors, you may take a photo or a video but for the purpose of showing it to the proper authority only and not for social media posting.
So our tip # 1 would be:
Do not take photos or video of your sponsor or any member of their family and post it on social media without permission.
As a social media account user, it is important that we secure our personal information well. Keep it from other people even from our sponsors. It is our right.
Tip #2:
If your sponsor asks for your social media or email account username and password, never give it to them.
Even if we have the privilege of using a smartphone at work, it is important that we keep our posts private.
For instance, a household worker who was assigned to clean her sponsor's room struck a pose for a selfie putting her sponsor's jewelry on. Later, she posted that selfie on her social media account with privacy settings in public. The sponsor's kid saw it. The result, her sponsor said that her wristwatch is missing and said she took it even if she did not.
Tip # 3:
Be careful and set your social media posts privacy settings always as private or which can be viewed by your friends only.
Joy has been told to look after the child on her care while the kid is on the swimming pool learning how to swim. But as soon her employer left, she snapped a selfie and uploaded it on Facebook
She did not notice that the kid she supposed to look after pulled another kid, a child of her employer's friend, under the pool.
The kid told that matter to her mother and said that instead of looking after the kid, the nanny was busy taking selfies, that's why she did not even saw what the kid did to him/her. She could have prevented the kid from pulling him/her under the pool.
Joy's selfie caused her to lose her job.
Tip #4:
Be mindful of your duties and do not prioritize doing selfies just to be updated with your social media posts. You did not go abroad just to take selfies. You are there to work and earn for your family.
It is very important that we have a smartphone and its primary use is to get in touch with our family back home. You can get updates on what happening to them in real time and vice versa. It is also important that you keep updated contact numbers of people that might help you in case of emergency.
Tip #5:
Keep your mobile phone updated of important contact numbers of the Philippine Embassy in your host country especially the assistance to nationals hotline, your recruitment agency, or any friend that may extend help in times of trouble.
Communication is very important. Nowadays, it is made easier by modern technology through the internet and calling and messaging apps that allow you to get in touch with your family and friends no matter how far you are. Maximizing the use of smartphones and social media to your advantage should come with a caution.
If we are not careful with our actions, we can be held liable and can even cause us greater things.
Tip #5:
Keep your mobile phone updated of important contact numbers of the Philippine Embassy in your host country especially the assistance to nationals hotline, your recruitment agency, or any friend that may extend help in times of trouble.
Communication is very important. Nowadays, it is made easier by modern technology through the internet and calling and messaging apps that allow you to get in touch with your family and friends no matter how far you are. Maximizing the use of smartphones and social media to your advantage should come with a caution.
If we are not careful with our actions, we can be held liable and can even cause us greater things.
So enjoy being online and stay safe.
![Only when Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) receive 100% protection in Kuwait, the deployment ban will be lifted. this is what Foreign Affairs Secretary Allan Peter Cayetano said during a press briefing as he assists the new batch of OFWs from Kuwait as they arrive at NAIA. The signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between both governments was one way to achieve this objective, Cayetano said. Advertisement Sponsored Links He also said they were discussing "other things" to arrive at the goal, but he could not disclose the details of the discussions as it could cause more confusion. President Rodrigo Duterte initially said the deployment ban was permanent, but Malacañang said the ban would only be in place until the signing of the MOU. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque and other Foreign Affairs officials are scheduled to fly to the Gulf State on May 7 for the MOU signing. However, the status of the signing has been in limbo since Villa's expulsion. Roque said he is not sure if the meeting would push through. "Nothing is set. We're hoping, but not sure yet," Roque said in a press briefing Thursday. Villa was declared by Kuwait as persona non grata last week ordering him to leave the country, following the rescue mission of distressed Filipino workers in the Gulf state. The Department of Foreign Affairs called Villa's expulsion "deeply disturbing" and asked the Kuwaiti Ambassador to the Philippines to explain the decision. A video of the rescue mission went viral, to which Cayetano apologized and then said the Kuwaiti government accepted their explanation. Warrants of arrest were issued against FIlipino diplomats who were said to be involved in the rescue. Cayetano said they were accused of kidnapping. Cayetano said they were "sorting out" the issue as diplomats are given immunity. "We assure everyone that the Philippine government will remain guided by the national interest in seeking solutions that will be beneficial to all concerned. In other words po, kalma lang po [we ask for calm]," Cayetano said. He added this was just part of the misunderstanding, but they did have an objective. "Ang objective dito, ang welfare ng ating [The objective here is the welfare of our] overseas Filipino. And we will get to that objective while repairing any damage or restoring the strength of our relationship with Kuwait," he said. READ MORE: List of Philippine Embassies And Consulates Around The World Classic Room Mates You Probably Living With Do Not Be Fooled By Your Recruitment Agencies, Know Your Correct Fees Remittance Fees To Be Imposed On Kuwait Expats Expected To Bring $230 Million Income TESDA Provides Training For Returning OFWs Cash Aid To Be Given To Displaced OFWs From Kuwait—OWWA 5 Signs A Person Is Going To Be Poor And 5 Signs You Are Going To Be Rich](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-5WwX-EM63fSIiqeGzN_svDkrJRouYoV3rIGbSV6ZbjmN15g58zhxqwEgbRA2rrmt-d2SmW50f4VF7TURGzhFBNM0UtZQrXI4z0HABc_K5S4xDhJEjx1TI6vP4KbvwaBhmQ2Ew/s1600/%2524%2524%2524%2524%2524%2524%2524%2524%2524%2524%2524%2524%2524%2524%2524.png)
![Only when Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) receive 100% protection in Kuwait, the deployment ban will be lifted. this is what Foreign Affairs Secretary Allan Peter Cayetano said during a press briefing as he assists the new batch of OFWs from Kuwait as they arrive at NAIA. The signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between both governments was one way to achieve this objective, Cayetano said. Advertisement Sponsored Links He also said they were discussing "other things" to arrive at the goal, but he could not disclose the details of the discussions as it could cause more confusion. President Rodrigo Duterte initially said the deployment ban was permanent, but Malacañang said the ban would only be in place until the signing of the MOU. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque and other Foreign Affairs officials are scheduled to fly to the Gulf State on May 7 for the MOU signing. However, the status of the signing has been in limbo since Villa's expulsion. Roque said he is not sure if the meeting would push through. "Nothing is set. We're hoping, but not sure yet," Roque said in a press briefing Thursday. Villa was declared by Kuwait as persona non grata last week ordering him to leave the country, following the rescue mission of distressed Filipino workers in the Gulf state. The Department of Foreign Affairs called Villa's expulsion "deeply disturbing" and asked the Kuwaiti Ambassador to the Philippines to explain the decision. A video of the rescue mission went viral, to which Cayetano apologized and then said the Kuwaiti government accepted their explanation. Warrants of arrest were issued against FIlipino diplomats who were said to be involved in the rescue. Cayetano said they were accused of kidnapping. Cayetano said they were "sorting out" the issue as diplomats are given immunity. "We assure everyone that the Philippine government will remain guided by the national interest in seeking solutions that will be beneficial to all concerned. In other words po, kalma lang po [we ask for calm]," Cayetano said. He added this was just part of the misunderstanding, but they did have an objective. "Ang objective dito, ang welfare ng ating [The objective here is the welfare of our] overseas Filipino. And we will get to that objective while repairing any damage or restoring the strength of our relationship with Kuwait," he said. READ MORE: List of Philippine Embassies And Consulates Around The World Classic Room Mates You Probably Living With Do Not Be Fooled By Your Recruitment Agencies, Know Your Correct Fees Remittance Fees To Be Imposed On Kuwait Expats Expected To Bring $230 Million Income TESDA Provides Training For Returning OFWs Cash Aid To Be Given To Displaced OFWs From Kuwait—OWWA 5 Signs A Person Is Going To Be Poor And 5 Signs You Are Going To Be Rich](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYlXUGguPBStMaZ7Mauyeg-O2GMpAawoub97LU4I6rhM6OVEpPbz2vyn3pVVtno5aDF3yiHxk5o3ujNyST55ag5EX7J4cTUhmW8z79U6QiEQdGSLES-E0TGp2eD9k50IczOVxtw/s1600/%2523%2523%2523%2523%2523%2523%2523%2523%2523%2523%2523%2523%2523.png)
