Month: July 2018

Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries may be the top destination for aspiring and returning OFWs, but Hong Kong comes close. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, Hong Kong is part of the “favorites” and preferred destination because of its proximity in the Philippines, with less than two-hour travel by plane. Aside from this, Hong Kong is one of the most dynamic cities in the world, with busy and colorful lifestyle.

In case you got a job in HK, here’s what you need to know to help you adjust to a new lifestyle:

General Facts

Hong Kong, despite its perceived independence, is a Special Administrative Region of China. Nonetheless, Hong Kong has its own flag, parliamentary system, legal system, and currency. Cantonese is their primary language, but many of its residents can also speak in Mandarin and English, so conversing with the locals won’t be much of a problem.

Culture and Etiquette 

Personal reputation is important, so make sure you present yourself well to anyone, regardless of who you are talking to. Dress appropriately, greet someone with a handshake or a bow, and always be respectful. If you can, learn few Cantonese phrases and start a conversation with a greeting in Cantonese.

Culture in Hong Kong is still deeply rooted to Eastern traditions despite modernization. They still believe in superstitions in case misfortune happens to them.

Hong Kong Identity Card 

This is a must. Individuals who are legally entitled to stay in Hong Kong for more than 180 days MUST apply for a Hong Kong Identity Card within 30 days from the time you arrived. This card must be carried at all times, especially when you’re going out. Take care of this card since this will be surrendered to the Immigration Department upon termination / expiration of your employment contract.

You can get a copy of the application form here. Present the application together with your passport and working visa when availing the Identity Card.

Weather 

Unlike the Philippines, Hong Kong has sub-tropical climate with spring, summer, winter, and autumn.

Spring is from March to May, with temperature ranging from 17 to 26 degrees Celsius. Summer is June to August, with temperature rising up to 31 degrees Celsius. Autumn is September to November, which is also the best season for many residents because of its cool weather and plenty of sunshine. Winter is December to February, with temperature possibly dropping to 10 degrees Celsius. There’s no need to buy thermals and big coats since it doesn’t snow in Hong Kong.

Religion 

Unlike Saudi Arabia and other countries in the Arab peninsula, Hong Kong practices religious freedom. There are various religious denominations that practice Taoism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Confucianism, Hinduism, and Sikhism among others.

Working Hours

If you plan to work in Hong Kong, then you need to be prepared for longer working hours.

Government office starts at 8:30 am and ends at 5:30 pm. Banking hours are from 9 am to 5 pm, but if you work in retail shops, you have to start at 9 am and work until 6:30 to 9 pm, depending on your location. Some offices also open on Saturdays for half-a-day. Nonetheless, it would be different if you work as a Household Service Worker, but you can get off days, usually every Sunday.

There is also a total of 17 public holidays, which all employers must adhere to, including employers of household workers.

Transportation 

Going from point A to B will not be difficult because of Hong Kong’s extensive public transport. MTR (Mass Transit Railway) is effective and cost-efficient public transport you can try, with trains running every few minutes. Buses, trams, and cabs are likewise available.

When commuting, make sure you buy an Octopus card since it can be used in all public transport system as well as in supermarkets, vending machines, and fast food chains.

Are you ready to start a new life in Hong Kong? Make sure you keep these tips in mind.

There are many job opportunities overseas, but it seems like Saudi Arabia is still the top destination for aspiring and returning OFWs. It’s not surprising why. There are tons of job opportunities available in Saudi, coupled with good pay; thus making it a favorite.

In case you landed a job there or considering to go to this Arab country, here’s what you need to know about living and working in the biggest country in the Arab peninsula:

Culture

Islam, which is the religion in Saudi, governs the citizens’ way of life. In fact, their laws are based in Koran (Qur’an), which requires strict compliance. This is also the reason why Saudi Arabia, among other Arab countries, is the strictest and most conservative country in the peninsula. Since you are working there, you are required to follow their laws.

Since their way of life is based on Qur’an, establishments close for half an hour five times a day for their prayer time.

• Fajr, which is between dawn and sunrise
• Dhuhr or noon
• ‘Asr or mid-afternoon
• Maghrib or sunset
• ‘Isha or night

For women, dress code is strictly enforced, so make sure you are wearing “abaya” especially when going out. Pants are also a big no-no for them. Hair must be covered by a veil while the face must be covered by a burka. Men are not exempted from the dress code since wearing shorts is not allowed as well.

Public display of affection is also not allowed, even if you are with your spouse. Consequently, bring a copy of your marriage certificate in case you are working in Saudi Arabia with your spouse.

Iqama

This is also known as residence permit or work license. Iqama is an important document that OFWs and other expats working in Saudi must always have on hand, especially when going out. Iqama will be your main identity card, which is why you should have this wherever you go to avoid payment of penalty fee.

When you arrive in Saudi Arabia, you must surrender your passport to your sponsor, who will then present it to the Immigration authorities for the issuance of Iqama. Inform your sponsor immediately in case you lost your Iqama.

Weather

You may associate Saudi Arabia with desert; hence making the country extremely hot and wit little rainfall. Unfortunately, dress code is strictly imposed, especially for women, so you have no choice but to comply.

To cope with the weather, make sure you limit your time outside especially during mid-day, drink lots of fluids, wear clothes that will protect you from the heat, and shower at least two to three times a day.

Food 

Sorry to break it to you, but Qur’an strictly prohibits eating of pork and drinking alcoholic beverages. It is best to follow this, otherwise, penalty awaits you.

Still, don’t worry since you won’t be hungry. Saudi Arabian food includes meat, vegetables, wheat, rice, and spices. Chicken and lamb are also staples in the country. In case you still can’t adjust to their food, Saudi opened its doors to several food chains like McDonald’s, KFC, Pizza Hut, and Burger King. Just make sure you have your iqama with you when going out and don’t forget to follow the dress code.

Returning Home 

If you are planning to return home, then here are three things you need to prepare:

• Your Philippine passport (must still be valid for at least six months) or Travel Document in case you don’t have your passport
• Plane ticket
• Exit Visa from the Saudi Ministry of Interior, which will only be given upon issuance of No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your sponsor and all fees were paid.

Obtaining this will be easier if you have no criminal records.

We hope this helps!

Remittance is everything, especially if you are working overseas. You need to be able to send money from abroad because your family depends on it.

Unfortunately, not all OFW families have bank accounts, which means they rely solely on remittance centers to get the money. Remittance centers are also the go-to guys because aside from getting money sent from abroad, these facilities offer other financial services like bills payment, pawning, quick cash loan, and foreign exchange with less hassle compared to what is required by big banks.

That being said, what are the best remittance centers in the country? Here’s what:

Western Union Overseas Money Transfer

Did you know that Western Union is one, if not the biggest remittance centers in the Philippines? Believe it or not, it has over 8,400 branches nationwide. That’s not all. Western Union, also the largest remittance service provider in the world, has 500,000 agent locations in more than 200 countries worldwide, thereby making remittance claims easier and convenient.

What makes Western Union a favorite is the Track a Transfer feature wherein you can check the status of remittance online. You can also send money to PayMaya mobile wallet and every remittance sent allows you to earn reward points, which you can use to score discounted fees on remittance rates.

• Dometic Remittance Rate – P5 to P595
• Overseas Remittance Rate – P500 to P1,100

Cebuana Lhuillier Pera Padala 

Another major remittance centers in the country is Cebuana Lhuillier, with 2,300 branches and more than 4,000 Pera Padala agents in the Philippines. Cebuana also has more than 80 international remittance partners, thereby making money transfer easy and convenient for you.

Cebuana sends money in real-time and allows you to earn points for every amount you sent. This can be exchanged for discounts on remittance rates, exclusive privileges, and special offers. More than that, you can make an appointment online before you visit any branch. This way, you skip long lines and filling out forms since that was done ahead of time.

• Domestic Remittance Rate – P1 to P1,200
• Overseas Remittance Rate – P500 to P1,200

Palawan Express Pera Padala 

Similar to the first two remittance centers, Palawan Express also has more than 2,000 branches and Pera Padala agents nationwide, with rate ranging between P2 and P345. It also has Loyalty Rewards Program, which gives you five percent discount and two percent reward points on every remittance fee. Rebate is also included in this program every time you claim money.

When sending money, your family back home can get a text notification, informing them that money is sent and ready for pickup. In case they received the money already, you will receive a text confirmation regarding this as well.

MoneyGram 

A direct competitor of Western Union, MoneyGram is the second biggest money transfer company in the world. It has approximately 350,000 locations in more than 200 countries.

Remittance rate is similar to Western Union, with the rate depending on the amount sent. Maximum transaction is USD 2,999 and you can check the status of the remittance online.

In case you’re wondering where your family can pick up the money, simply look for remittance centers that partnered with MoneyGram. This is most convenient since your family can immediately get the money within minutes from sending it. You can also transmit money through almost 7,000 ATMs nationwide using LBC card.

What makes you decide on the best remittance center? Consider these things: safety, reliability, convenience, and remittance rate. This will help you decide the best one for you.