DFA Warns OFWs Against Job Offers in Macau and Removes Travel Advisory To Thailand

 Tourist Visas Cannot Be Used To Work In Macau

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) warned Filipino workers against unscrupulous recruitment agencies that may offer them a job in Macau but would give them only a tourist visa.

The DFA informed that the government of Macau now prohibits foreigners without proper working visa to be employed in their country. Tourist visas would not be honored for deployment so those without proper working documents may only end up jobless and penniless in a foreign land.

A report from the Philippine Consulate General in Macau to the DFA said that the new rule is based on a new labor law, known as the “Law on Imported Labor.” This new policy prohibits hiring of foreign workers in Macau.

The new law also stats that a foreigner can only apply for a job in Macau through direct hiring in the Philippines, or through a legitimate agency in the Philippines connected to a legitimate Macau employment agency.

The DFA reminded applicants to always check if they are dealing with a POEA-licensed recruitment agency and if the job being offered has a job order.

Travel To Bangkok Thailand Is Now Allowed

Thailand specifically the city of Bangkok has been in the news lately because of the number of protest and rallies staged by what is called the Red Shirts (composed of farmers and workers) against their Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The violence that arose from the said rallies and demonstrations prompted the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to issue a travel advisory to Thailand. In the advisory, the DFA discouraged Filipinos from going to Thailand and reminded Filipinos in Thailand to be careful and avoid the city of Bangkok.

Fortunately the peace and order situation in Thailand had improved that the DFA deemed it safe for travel again. As of this writing, the DFA had removed the travel advisory. Still, the government agency is reminding Filipinos to exercise “extra caution” if traveling to Bangkok or other cities or provinces.