Warning for OFWs Bound to China

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration issued an advisory for Filipinos who wants to work in China but do not have proper working documents. The government agency informed that China is cracking down on illegal foreign workers, including undocumented Filipinos working as teachers and house maids.

There is a demand for teachers in China but not all schools are allowed to hire foreigners. It prohibits foreign nationals from doing manual labor such as those of nannies and domestic helpers. A foreigner has to hold a working "Z" visa in order to work in China. Learn the do’s and don’ts of working in China.

Warning For Overstaying OFWs in Taiwan

Overstaying overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Taiwan should return to the Philippines as there are risks involved in staying and working in a foreign country with nothing to show but an expired work contract.

Jackson Gan, president of the Pilipino Manpower Agencies in Taiwan and vice-president of FAME (Federated Association of Manpower Exporters), said that instead of overstaying or hiding from authorities, OFWs in Taiwan whose contract has expired should immediately return to the Philippines.

Gan informed that OFWs without proper working documents are the targets of illegal brokers that victimize desperate foreign workers in Taiwan.

Gan said, “All Taiwan OFWs are allowed to work a maximum of nine years in Taiwan. However they should return every three years and get a new contract to work in Taiwan.

Gan explained, “Those workers who remain will become illegal workers and be subject to arrest and deportation immediately. Those workers will be under some illegal brokers who will look for jobs for them and in most cases these jobs will not have the same working conditions and benefits due to documented workers."

This is also to avoid unfortunate stories such as what happened with Nemencia Armia, an OFW in Tawain who was given a death sentence for alleged robbery and murder of her employer

Nemencia was deployed in Taiwan in 2005 but after three years chose to remain in Taiwan as a tutor rather than go back to the Philippines.

According to Gan, an estimate of 10,000 OFWs are currently in Taiwan and majority is employed as domestic helpers and factory workers. The recruitment leader urges OFWs to strictly follow the provisions of their contracts.