SOME CHANGES IN SAUDI ARABIA NOW THAT EVERY OFW SHOULD KNOW

This article is filed under: Saudi Arabia

Roger Bantiles in Opinyon, questioned the Philippine government. 

Do we have a re-integration program for OFWs from oil-dependent economies?

"Still, the remittances from the Middle East are substantial and are at present threatened by the free fall of the price of oil in the world market.

There are many factors precipitating the wild tumble of the price of oil. OPEC’s decision to flood the market in order to squeeze out shale oil producers caused an oil glut from its own production and from the shale oil producers it wanted to squeeze out.

The problem is, while many of the shale oil producers were indeed thrown out, the bigger players achieved levels of efficiency that has kept them in the market. So the oil glut has continued and is expected to continue for some years to come. There is no bright prognosis for the global oil industry in the next 5 years or so."

#BREAKING: #Saudibudget — King Salman said the economy is capable to meet the challenges despite oil price fall & slow global growth.

— Saudi Gazette (@Saudi_Gazette) December 28, 2015

Below are the rapid news just within today when the Saudi budget was released for 2016 via the cabinet session, 28th December 2015 chaired by His Majesty,  Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman. 

PRICES OF GASOLINE, ELECTRICITY AND WATER WILL INCREASE

Image from Serg's of Riyadh

Cabinet OKs hike in gasoline prices, electricity and water rates https://t.co/Ca7fahFqzC #SaudiArabia #gasolin pic.twitter.com/4W2XMS2aq9

— Arab News (@Arab_News) December 28, 2015

Octane 91 will now cost 75 from the current 45 halalas. 
Octane 95 will increase to 90 halalas from the current 60 halalas.

Electricity subsidies as well as water prices will be adjusted in the next 5 years that will make the cost higher. 

VALUE ADDED TAX WILL BE INTRODUCED.

#Saudi govt says will complete steps to introduce value-added tax in coordination with other #GCC states: Report #SaudiBudget

— Arab News (@Arab_News) December 28, 2015

TAXES FOR SOFT DRINKS, TOBACCO AND THE LIKE WILL BE INCREASE.

#Saudi govt to raise taxes on soft drinks, tobacco: Reuters #SaudiBudget #energy #oil #SaudiArabia

— Arab News (@Arab_News) December 28, 2015

OTHER MEASURES

REVIEWS AND POSSIBLE INCREASES IN FINES, PENALTIES and INTRODUCTION OF NEW FEES as additional source of revenue.

BUDGET WILL BE TIGHT in some government agencies and departments AS BUDGET CUTS WAS INTRODUCED BECAUSE OF OIL PRICE DECLINE

EXPECT MORE INCREASES IN PRICES OF SERVICES, FOOD, AND HOUSING RENT

SOME OFWS IN THE ENERGY SECTOR AND CONSTRUCTION SECTOR MIGHT LOSE THEIR JOBS

IT IS HIGH TIME TO SAVE, FOR ALL OFW'S WORKING IN THE MIDDLE EAST

ArabNews reported that other measures introduced was:

• Reducing the growth of recurring expenditures, especially wages, salaries, allowances and the like, which amounted to SR 450 billion, exceeding 50 percent of the approved budget expenses.

• Optimizing operating expenditures, including the rationalization of government agencies’ expenses, the utilization of technology (IT) for the delivery of government services, and the development and strengthening control and governance mechanisms.

• Completing the revision of the government’s competitiveness and procurement law, in accordance with world-class practices.

• Establishing a unit in the Ministry of Finance for public debt management. The new unit will be responsible for developing and overseeing the public debt and financing strategy and strengthening the Kingdom's ability to borrow both domestically and internationally; thus contributing to the market for sukuk and local bonds.

Image from Arab News

This article is filed under: Saudi Arabia

©2015 THOUGHTSKOTO

UAE MIGHT RE-HIRE PHILIPPINES HOUSEKEEPERS AGAIN, IF MAID'S PROTECTION WILL BE GUARANTEED!

This article is filed under: OFW News

There is a chance that UAE will be opening its doors again for kasambahay or household service workers if the talks will pursue and mutually beneficial to both parties, and maid's protection will be guaranteed.

Gulf News reported that:

"The UAE and Philippine labour officials will hold their second round of discussions on the issue of re-sending Filipino maids to the UAE in the first quarter of 2016.

UAE employers have not been able to hire maids directly from the Philippines since June 2014 due to conflicting recruitment rules from the UAE and labour-sending countries like the Philippines.

The issue arose when the Ministry of Interior introduced a unified contract for domestic workers that led to the suspension of various embassies’ role in verifying and attesting contracts, including the Philippines.

But the Philippines insists that based on their domestic laws, they are mandated to verify and record these contracts to protect their workers.

With the suspension of contract verification, no maids could be hired directly from the Philippines legally. This is a problem for many residents since Filipina maids are the preferred house help in the country.

Cruz said the second round of talks is expected to happen in the first quarter of 2016. Once all matters are agreed upon, an agreement is expected to be signed between the two countries in the following months."

Read the rest of the news entry here

SURVEY SA MGA OFW. SAANG BANSA MEDYO MAAYOS MAGING KASAMBAHAY?
Posted by PEBA, Inc. on Sunday, December 27, 2015

This article is filed under: OFW News

©2015 THOUGHTSKOTO

UAE EXPATS AND OVERSEAS FILIPINOS, SOME GOOD NEWS STARTING JANUARY 2016

This article is filed under: OFW News

With the introduction of the new UAE labor laws to be implemented this January 2016, some info's are starting to come out. As reported in the 24/7 UAE news organization, the 6-months ban for workers who end their job even without completing the two year contract, provided, the employer and the employee are in mutual agreement.

 "UAE Ministry of Labour has confirmed that the ban of six months will be cancelled beginning January if the work permit and employment are terminated in mutual agreement.

Who are those in LEVEL 1,2 and 3?

LEVEL 1- Professions include: Manager, Engineer, Doctor, Teacher, Accountant, Accounts Clerk, Marketing Specialist, Quantity Surveyor, Draftsman, Executive Secretary, Pharmacist, Administration Officer, Reservation Officer, Safety Officer, Public Relations Officer, Computer Operator, Advertising Designer, Graphic Arts Draftsman etc.

LEVEL 2 - Technical, Technicians and Mechanical related professions.

LEVEL 3 - Sales Executive, Sales Representative, Sales Supervisor, Site Supervisor, Administration Clerk, Correspondence Clerk, Customs Clearing Clerk, Ticketing Clerk, Cash Desk Clerk, Receptionist, Cashier, Store Keeper, Tourist Guide etc. 

According to the 24/7 News, "the Ministry, employees will be allowed new work permits to join another facility immediately, even if the employee has not completed two years at the first facility.

However, the Ministry confirmed that workers under level IV and V who have not completed six months with the first establishment will be excluded from this rule.

The new rule is part of the new resolutions issued by Labour Minister Saqr Ghobash in September and which will be effective in January."

"Humaid Rashid bin Dimas Al Suwaidi, Assistant Undersecretary at Ministry of Labour, told Al Bayan that under the new resolution, employees who end their service in agreement with the establishments and cancel their work permits will be allowed to move to other establishments, even if they have not completed two years at the workplace.

However, workers in levels IV and V who have not completed six months with the first facility are exempted from this rule, he added.

Al Suwaidi said that currently workers who terminate their service through consensus and have completed two years are also not allowed to move to another facility immediately. They are allowed to join another job only after a period of six months from the date of cancellation of the work permit, he added.

As per the new resolution No. 766 of 2015 workers will be granted new work permits immediately beginning January, explained Al Suwaidi and added that this is so as long as both the parties fulfill the conditions agreed upon in the labour contract signed between them."

image from NY Times. Q and A on DUBAI law here
news Source: 24/7

This article is filed under: OFW News

©2015 THOUGHTSKOTO

Pag-Ibig Offers As Much As Php 6 Million Housing Loan Program

This article is filed under: Pag-Ibig Fund

This will help you with home loans as home mortgage loans with Pag-IBIG is now up to P6Million pesos. Compared to get a home loan with banks, or other home mortgage lenders, getting a home loan with Pag-IBIG is easier and cheaper. 

This is ideal if you want to buy or mortgage or make loans for your house and lot or build your own house but you don't have enough money to pay in cash. You can try the Pag-IBIG annuity payment where you can buy a structured settlement or pre-owned houses.

Pag-Ibig offers housing loan for as much as Php 6 million and up to 30 years term. The following details and requirements below with help with home loans application. 

You only need to be at least 2 years active member of Pag-ibig, or have at least 24 contributions for the past 2 years.  If you are not an active member, you needed to register and pay the contribution for 24 months on a lump sum payment. 

The amount you can get through home mortgage lenders like Pag-IBIG will depend on your capacity to borrow, like your salary. 

STEPS:

I. Visit Pag-Ibig office and attend loan counseling. 

Fill up:

1. Preliminary Loan Counseling Questionnaire (PLCQ) and 

2. Housing Loan Application (HLA).

3. Medical questionnaire ( If you are over 60 years old or are applying for a loan over P2,000,000)

You need to ask for a copy of Membership Status Verification Slip (MSVS). They will also give you required documents which you have to submit. 

This is the list of documents you might be asked to submit

The Pag-IBIG application forms

• Housing Loan Application (HLA) Form
• Certificate of Attendance of Seminar
• Membership Status Verification Slip (MSVS)
• Preliminary Loan Counseling Questionnaire (PLCQ)
• Membership Data Form (MDF)

Your borrower’s documents

• Latest Community Tax Certification (cedula)
• 1×1 picture of borrower and spouse (if married)
• Marriage Contract, if you are married
• Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR), if you are single
• Legal Separation, if separated
• Photocopy of valid IDs (e.g. TIN, SSS, Postal ID, Driver’s License, Passport, PRC, etc.)

If someone will be acting as your Attorney-in-Fact while you are abroad, you need to bring:

• Latest Community Tax Certification (cedula)
• Proof of Relationship from the Borrower (e.g. Marriage Contract, Birth Certificate)
• Photocopy of valid IDs (e.g. TIN, SSS, Postal ID, Driver’s License, Passport, PRC, etc.)
• Notarized Special Power of Attorney (SPA)

Proof of Income

• Employment contracts
• Bank statements

Property documents

• Certified true copy of Transfer Certificate Title (TCT) of the property by the Registry of Deeds (latest title)
• Updated Tax Declaration
• Updated Real Estate Tax Receipt or Tax Clearance
• Location Plan and Vicinity Map of the property

 Additional requirements for OFWs

• Notarized Special Power of Attorney (SPA) prior to date of departure or duly certified and authenticated by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate in the country where you work, if abroad. If SPA does not have the red ribbon of Consulate Office, the SPA must have a duly stamped notarial seal.  If you acquired the SPA in the Philippines, it needs to be notarized.
• Photocopy of passport showing stamp of arrival and departure dates from the Philippines

Documents you will need to present after the loan has been approved

• Loan Agreement/Loan and Mortgage Agreement
• Duly notarized Promissory Note
• Pag-IBIG Fund Receipt (PFR) representing payment of one-year insurance premium

II. SUBMIT THE DOCUMENTS

Once you have gathered the documents required by Pag-Ibig, you needed to submit it and pay PHP 1,000 non-refundable processing fee. Pag-IBIG will then do the necessary credit investigation and property valuation. You will  be notified once your loan is approved. 

You will receive a Notice of Loan Approval (NOA) or Letter of Guaranty (LOG), which can only be released to you or to your attorney-in-fact if you have already left the country.

Within 3 months or  90 calendar days you or the person named on your SPA have to give this NOA/LOG  to the property seller.

1.  Pay the Capital Gains Tax at the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). You will then be given a Certificate Authorizing Registration. Present the Deed of Absolute Sale (DOAS), Tax Declaration and Tax Receipt.

2. Pay for  transfer tax at the Municipal Treasurer's Office (LGU). Then go to the Registry of Deeds for the transfer of title and present the tax clearance, most recent tax declaration, mortgage contract and the BIR documentary stamps. The Assessor’s Office will give you a tax declaration and the Engineering Office will give you an occupancy permit.

3. Finally, return to PAG-IBIG to submit the following documents and officially have the loan funds released. (Bring a valid ID to get the check.)

• Original Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) in the name of the borrower with mortgage annotation on it;
• Deed of Absolute Sale (DOAS) with original stamp from the Registry of Deeds;
• New Tax Declaration in the name of the borrower;
• Updated Real Estate Tax Receipt for Lot;
• Updated Real Estate Tax Receipt for House (if applicable);
• Occupancy Permit from the Engineering office;
• Assignment of Loan Proceeds (this document will be from Pag-IBIG);

For the interest rate: Pag-Ibig lowered the interest rates for housing loans earlier this year. The new rates are as follows: 6.5 percent for a three-year fixed-pricing period, 7.27 percent for five years, 8.035 percent for 10 years, 8.585 percent for 15 years, 8.8 percent for 20 years, 9.05 percent for 25 years, and 10 percent under a 30-year fixed-pricing period.

Housing Loan PAg-Ibig, low-cost housing, Pag-Ibig, home refinance, where to apply for home loan, homes in the Philippines, Home loan with, finding a home loan, home mortgage loans

This article is filed under: Pag-Ibig Fund
©2015 THOUGHTSKOTO

POEA Approved Jobs For Cyprus and Singapore

If you are looking for a job as domestic worker abroad, the following recruitment agencies have approved job orders by POEA. 

The domestic jobs (domestic helper, household service worker, helpers etch) are exempted from PLACEMENT FEE, however you will still be paying for processing fees associated to your application. If you want to know the fees that might be associated to process your application check here:

Check here for: List of FEES ASSOCIATED WITH OVERSEAS JOB APPLICATION 

POEA Approve Job Orders For CYPRUS:

DOMESTIC HELPER (44)
GREENFIELDS INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER SERVICES, INC. Landbased Agency
1916 LEON GUINTO STREET MALATE, MANILA
Tel No/s : 256-2311/353-6898
Email Address : hr@greenfieldsmanpower.com
Website : www.greenfieldsmanpower.com
Official Representative : FEDERICO L ACDAL
Status : Valid License
License Validity : 4/16/2015 to 4/15/2019

WORKER DOMESTIC
MICHAELANGELO MANPOWER EXPONENT INCORPORATED Landbased Agency
SUITE 401 & 402, A.P. BLDG, F. AGONCILLO ST. ERMITA, MANILA
Tel No/s : 5267305/8811659/3105508/0920-9503238
Email Address : contact@mmei.biz
Website : www.mmei.biz
Official Representative : ALEJA R. ADRIANO
Status : Valid License
License Validity : 8/8/2015 to 8/7/2019

DOMESTIC HELPER FEMALE (50)
QUINTINIANS PLACEMENT AGENCY INC Landbased Agency
GF1A & UB(GF/2F) 451 BONI AVE MANDALUYONG CITY MANDALUYONG
Tel No/s : 5329934/ 5311575 
Email Address : quintinians@yahoo.com
Website : None
Official Representative : MS MYRNA T REYES
Status : Valid License
License Validity : 8/26/2014 to 8/25/2018

DOMESTIC HELPER MALE (20)

QUINTINIANS PLACEMENT AGENCY INC Landbased Agency
GF1A & UB(GF/2F) 451 BONI AVE MANDALUYONG CITY MANDALUYONG
Tel No/s : 5329934/ 5311575 
Email Address : quintinians@yahoo.com
Website : None
Official Representative : MS MYRNA T REYES
Status : Valid License
License Validity : 8/26/2014 to 8/25/2018

POEA Job Orders For SINGAPORE TECHNICIAN PHARMACY  FSL INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER AND PROMOTION SERVICES INC Landbased Agency RMS 301 302 & 303,3F, MRS BLDG, #1431 A MABINI ST ERMITA, MANILA Tel No/s : 524-5551/5212568/5246337/0918-9416579  Email Address : fsl.intl@yahoo.com Website : www.fslinternational.com Official Representative : EDITHA P. ATOS Status : Valid License License Validity : 1/21/2015 to 1/20/2019 WORKER DOMESTIC (18) NIR PLACEMENT CENTER INC (PHILIPPINE PLACEMENT CENTER INC) Landbased Agency UNIT 3 (2ND-4TH FLOORS), NO. 267 P. TUAZON ST. NEA CUBAO, QUEZON CITY Tel No/s : 4999779/ 0998-1723150/ 0917-3981440  Email Address : nirplacement@gmail.com Website : None Official Representative : JUPITER A BAYLON Status : Valid License License Validity : 9/27/2015 to 9/26/2019 Suggested Post: 300+ Approved Jobs For JAPAN WORKER HOUSEHOLD SERVICE (25) RN JOB QUEST Landbased Agency LOLING BLDG, BRGY. BARORO BACNOTAN, LA UNION Tel No/s : (072) 7201266  Email Address : RNJOB_06@YAHOO.COM Website : NA Official Representative : LEMUEL F. IGNACIO Status : Valid License License Validity : 8/18/2014 to 8/17/2018 ASSISTANT HEALTH CARE (4) FSL INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER AND PROMOTION SERVICES INC Landbased Agency RMS 301 302 & 303,3F, MRS BLDG, #1431 A MABINI ST ERMITA, MANILA Tel No/s : 524-5551/5212568/5246337/0918-9416579  Email Address : fsl.intl@yahoo.com Website : www.fslinternational.com Official Representative : EDITHA P. ATOS Status : Valid License License Validity : 1/21/2015 to 1/20/2019   WORKER HOUSEHOLD SERVICE (25) REACH MANPOWER INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATED Landbased Agency 2F,PARAISO BLG, 36 ALABANG-ZAPOTE ROAD ZAPOTE, LAS PIÑAS Tel No/s : 8711601/8712978/0923-6311837  Email Address : reachmanpower@gmail.com Website : www.reachmanpower.workabroad.ph Official Representative : RICHARD P. HOEY Status : Valid License License Validity : 6/2/2015 to 6/1/2019 WORKER DOMESTIC (23) NIR PLACEMENT CENTER INC (PHILIPPINE PLACEMENT CENTER INC) Landbased Agency UNIT 3 (2ND-4TH FLOORS), NO. 267 P. TUAZON ST. NEA CUBAO, QUEZON CITY Tel No/s : 4999779/ 0998-1723150/ 0917-3981440  Email Address : nirplacement@gmail.com Website : None Official Representative : JUPITER A BAYLON Status : Valid License License Validity : 9/27/2015 to 9/26/2019

©2015 THOUGHTSKOTO