Category: OFW Interest

Admit it. You dreamed of going to Italy the moment you saw the movie Milan starring Piolo Pascual and Claudine Barretto. After all, who wouldn’t fall in love with the beautiful sceneries and tourist spots featured in the movie?

More than the tourist spots, Italy is also a home to thousands of Filipinos. In fact, Italy has the biggest concentration of Filipinos in Europe (more than 150,000 documented Filipinos) – and it’s not surprising why.

For starters, Italy pays well, including household service workers. Starting salary is 800 Euros and could go as much as 2,000 Euros (or even more). Also, Italy has strict labor laws, which explains why cases of maltreatment are unheard of (although for sure, there are cases but are minimal). Believe it or not, foreign workers may file a labor case against their employers in case they are not compliant with their labor laws. You get paid leaves as well, thereby allowing you to go around and explore the country.

Does this get you excited? Before you rush to Italy to work, here are some of the things you need to know about this country:

General Facts 

Italy is located in the heart of Mediterranean, southern part of Europe, and surrounded by France,, Austria, Switzerland, and Slovenia among others. It is a country with rich culture and heritage that dates back to the Roman Empire. Rome is the capital of Italy and Euro is the currency used in this country. Its form of government is unitary parliamentary republic and the monarch was abolished via constitutional referendum.

Language

When it comes to language, Italians speak their own language and are proud of it. English may not be as widely spoken in major parts of the country, except when you will work in large cities like Rome and Milan. Depending on your location, there are areas that speak German, French, and Slovenian.

Work Opportunities 

Household service workers and farm workers are the most common jobs available for Filipinos in Italy. Nonetheless, nurses are also in demand, as well as caregivers, chefs, computer programmers, and hotel staff.

Similar to other countries overseas, you will need a valid working visa to obtain “permesso de soggiorno” or permit to stay in Italy. Working visa and permit are needed because despite the the leniency for foreign workers, Italy does not condone illegal workers.

Working Conditions

Before you start working, make sure you obtain your own social security number and health insurance, which you can get from the National Social Security Institute. Your employer must automatically register you.

Religion

This is another reason why Italy is a favorite. Italy is majority s Catholic country, thereby making it easier for Filipinos to practice their faith.

Nonetheless, you might be surprised with how Italians celebrate Christmas. Unlike in the Philippines, Italians fast 24 hours before Christmas Eve by not eating meat. If you work in the southern part of Italy, you get to experience the “Feast of Seven Fishes.”

When it comes to opening of gifts, adults open theirs either at midnight after Christmas Eve dinner or after attending the Midnight Mass. Children open theirs on Christmas morning.

Transportation 

In case you want to explore Italy, make sure you travel by train. The trains will connect you from one place to another, thereby making everything accessible.

Traffic may be chaotic in Italy, so if you can, walk from one place to another. Noise and air pollution is also an issue, and as of the moment, the Italian government is doing its best to address this.

Weather 

No, it is not always hot and sunny in Italy. In fact, Italy’s climate is diverse. If you are staying in the North, you will experience mild summer and cold winter because of the Alps. Eastern Italy, which is surrounded by the Po River, has hot and humid summer, and cold, wet winter. If you are staying in the Central and South Italy, then expect a Mediterranean climate, which is hot, dry summer and mild winter.

Who wants to give Italy a try for your next job overseas?

You’ve been working hard overseas. What do you plan to do with your hard-earned money?

Paying existing financial obligations, investing, or buying your dream house are some of the things you can do with your money. Have you considered putting up your own business?

Starting with your business can be challenging, especially if you don’t have entrepreneurial experience. There are certain technicalities you need to know especially if you want to succeed. The good news is there are business models that are proven effective over the years, which companies are willing to share to people – also known as franchising. This can be a good way to jumpstart your entrepreneurial career and eventually, learn from it. Plus, everybody loves to eat, so you can never go wrong with food with strong brand recall already.

The challenge now is choosing what food business to franchise. Don’t worry. We made it easier for you to decide by compiling a list of food franchises you can try, starting from the most affordable to expensive ones:

Burger Matsing 

• Initial investment – starts at P50,000
• Package inclusions – Franchise fee, franchisee and crew training, business operations, promotional, and marketing support, and online ordering system
• Contact information – info@burgermatsing.com / 0945-3456957 / 0939-8775810 / 0943-8700283

Star Frappe’

• Initial investment – starts at P99,000
• Contract term – one year, but renewable without fee
• Package inclusions – Use of trade name, food cart and equipment, P3,000 worth of initial products, franchisee and crew training, crew uniform, and after-sales support.
• Contact information – franchiseinquiry101@gmail.com

Boy Kanin

• Initial investment – starts at P149,000 (kiosk) to P299,000 (big in-line store or food cart)
• Contract term – three years
• Package inclusions – Franchise fee, use of trademark, cart and equipment, initial stocks, training of crew and franchisee, crew uniform, and opening assistance. For big in-line stores and food card, construction cost, marketing materials, and equipment are included.
• Contact information – franchising.boykanin@gmail.com / 352-8130 / 0917-3443472 / 0923-6831409

Hong Kong Style Fried Noodles and Dimsum 

• Initial investment – P150,000
• Package inclusions – Food cart, utensils, equipment, small wares, initial product, crew training, pre-opening and opening assistance, crew uniform, and marketing materials
• Contact Information – 43-0536 / 0917-5000772 / 0922-8307611

Siomai King 

• Initial investment – P168,888
• Package inclusions – Use of trade name, logo, and business system, lighted company signage, stainless cart with cabinet, marketing collaterals, equipment and operating utensils, personnel training, and opening assistance.
• Contact information – info@jcfranchisinginc.com / 889-4773 to 76 / 0918-8JCFRAN (523786)

Noodle House / Sgt. Sisig 

• Initial investment – P168,888
• Package inclusions – Use of trade name, logo, and business system, heavy duty equipment and utensils, six staff uniform, marketing collaterals, personnel training and on-site crew training, opening assistance, and assistance of monitoring officer.
• Contact information – info@jcfranchisinginc.com / 889-4773 to 76 / 0918-8JCFRAN (523786)

Tapsi Stop 

• Initial investment – P168,888
• Package inclusions – Use of trade name, logo, and business system, customized stainless cart with lighted signage, equipment (stainless griddle with iron plate, non-stick frying pan, electric stove, rice cooker, working table, and juice dispenser), operating utensils, marketing collaterals, four working uniforms, and comprehensive personnel training.
• Contact information – info@jcfranchisinginc.com / 889-4773 to 76 / 0918-8JCFRAN (523786)

Potato Corner 

• Initial investment – starts at P200,000 (school cart) to P800,000 (in-line store with seats)
• Package inclusions – Franchise fee, cart or kiosk, small ware and equipment, initial supplies, and crew training.
• Contract information – Email at iwantfranchise@potatocorner.com / 534-5845 / 534-5846or check this link for more details.

Mister Donut

• Initial investment – starts at P200,000 (food cart) to P650,000 (dine-in shop) plus P50,000 franchise fee
• Contract term – two years and renewable for another two years for P50,000
• Package inclusions – Food cart, equipment, POS tablet, small wares, and crew uniform
• Contact information – Email at fms@misterdonut.ph / 370-1236 / 0917-8896148

Siomai House 

• Initial investment – P250,000
• Contract term – three years
• Package inclusions – Food cart, equipment, and delivery
• Contact information – Email at siomaihouse@yahoo.com.ph

Waffle Time 

• Initial investment – P250,000
• Contract term – Three years and renewable for another three years
• Package inclusions – Franchise fee, equipment, food cart, training, and crew uniform
• Contact information – Email at customerservice@waffletime.com / 584-1601 / 584-3704 / 0933-8513968

Fiorgelato 

• Initial investment – starts at P275,000 (kiosk) or P750,000 (counter)
• Contract term – five years
• Package inclusions – Franchise fee for five years, equipment, food cart or kiosk, small wares, initial stocks, and crew uniform
• Contact information – kiosk1263@yahoo.com / milkin_mktg@yahoo.com / milkinmktg@gmail.com / 524-0384 / 524-0385

Citrus Zone 

• Initial investment – starts at P280,000
• Package inclusions – Use of trademark, crew training, and initial inventory.
• Contract information – Email at partners@citruszonerefreshment.com / 0998-5589640

Which one do you like?

In case you need additional funds to start your business, Balikbayad is here to help. Fill out our online application for pre-approval and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

Where do you plan to work if you are thinking of working overseas? You will find tons of job opportunities in the Middle East, but Asia is still among the favorite job destinations. By Asia, we’re not just talking about Singapore and Hong Kong where you can find a lot of Filipinos. At this point, you might want to consider Malaysia.

You can find job opportunities in Malaysia, although priority is still given to Malaysians. Still, IT-related and healthcare jobs are in demand, but you can also find work opportunities in hotel service and administrative work. Multinational companies find home in Malaysia where they will need talents like you.

If you plan to work in this country, here are some things you need to know about it:

General Facts

Located two to three hours from Manila, Malaysia is among the countries in Southeast Asia and being surrounded by Singapore, Brunei, Thailand, and Philippines. Its capital city is Kuala Lumpur, Malay or Bahasa Malaysia is its official language, but English is widely spoken as well especially in Kuala Lumpur and Penang. Its currency is Malaysian Ringgit (1 MYR = 12.94 PHP as of this writing).

Religion 

Malaysia’s official religion is Islam. Nonetheless, Malays are welcoming of other religious denominations such as Catholics, Taoism, Hinduism, and Buddhism among others.

All major religious festivals of every religious group are considered as a holiday.

Culture

Malaysia is ethnically diverse, so don’t be surprised if you see yourself talking to other Asians. It would be challenging though in the workplace because of the difference in culture. Still, this would be fun since you’ll get a glimpse of the way of life in other countries. Since this country is ethnically diverse, you will hear other languages too aside from English.

When you work in Malaysia, you will notice that most people will say “No” to you. Malaysian culture perceive the act of saying “No” as shaming the other person, so try to read between the lines. The lack of outright positive feedback would also mean “No,” so make sure you follow up your question.

Since Malaysia is a Muslim country, it is imperative that you observe proper attire. Conservative dressing is recommended, especially for women. Nonetheless, Western-style clothing such as wearing suits is normal.

Food 

Malaysia is a food haven. You can find different cuisines that could range from traditional Malay food to Chinese, Japanese, Indonesian, and even Indian. Western food outlets can be found in Malaysia, but if you really want to enjoy what this country offers, then you have to eat where locals eat.

Transportation 

Unlike other countries such as Japan or Singapore, Malaysia doesn’t have an elaborate transport system. Kuala Lumpur has a light rail line that could bring you from point A to point B, but it needs to be expanded. Riding the cab is more convenient and most cabs charge lower rate.

Employment Pass

Working overseas means you need to secure necessary permit for you to be allowed to work. This is the same with Malaysia.

If you plan to work in this country, then you need to secure an Employment Pass with the help of your Malaysian employer. This employment pass allows you to work for 60 months or throughout the duration of the contract. Take note that this Employment Pass is valid per employer. If you wish to look for another employer, then you need to apply for another employment pass.

If you will render a physical labor job, then make sure you secure Foreign Worker Visa. This type of visa is granted to those who will work in the fields of manufacturing, agriculture, construction, plantation, and services.

Are you ready to go?

Middle East countries will always have the highest demand for overseas workers. If you prefer something nearer to the Philippines, Hong Kong and Singapore are the top choices because of its proximity.

Did you know that Taiwan is also a favorite of many OFWs? This is because there are a lot of job opportunities available in this tiny country that is only two hours away from Manila. This country is export-driven with its home-grown brands such as Asus, Acer, and Trend Micro already having a global status. Because of this, the country is in need of factory and skilled workers in manufacturing their global brands.

In case you plan to work in Taiwan, make sure to read this post to prepare you for a new life there:

Labor Law and Policies

All workers, except for Household Service Workers (HSWs), are covered by Taiwan’s Labor Standards Law.

Despite the exemption, it is illegal for all employers to keep your passport and Alien Residency Certificate (ARC) without your consent. To get your ARC, you must submit the following at the local police station as soon as possible:

• Letter of Authorization from the Council of Labor Affairs
• Medical certificate with Letter of Authorization from local health authorities

Weather

Unlike in the Philippines, Taiwan experiences the four seasons – winter (although there is no snow but just a chilly wind), spring, summer, and fall. A maximum of four typhoons visit Taiwan every year, but these typhoons often bring floods in the country. Taiwan is also prone to earthquakes, so make sure you are prepared.

Culture and Way of Life 

Taiwan is still dominated with their own kind, but you will see lots of people of different races.

Mandarin Chinese is the official language in Taiwan, but Hokkien is still widely used. Nonetheless, Taiwanese understand simple English words, so conversing with them won’t be too much of a problem.

Finding 7/11 stores won’t be a problem as well. Taiwan holds the highest density of 7/11 stores per person.

If you are looking for something to do after a long day, karaoke is popular in this country. If time permits, make sure to go around and explore the place because you will find a lot of scenic spots like Shilin Night Market and visit museums and memorial halls.

Also, never point using your finger. This is considered as disrespectful for them. Instead, point with an open hand.

Buses and trains are also the main forms of transportation. This is ideal because it is cheaper compared to riding a cab.

Religion

Buddhism is the primary religion in Taiwan. Aside from this, Christianity, Taoism, Protestantism, and other religions are practiced and accepted. You will also find Catholic churches in Taiwan, so fulfilling your Sunday obligation won’t be an issue.

Food

You will surely love this. Taiwan is among the best food destinations in the world and you will find tons dishes to fill your hungry tummy. Taipei is also a home to variety of streets dedicated for food where you will find streetside bao in variety of flavors, beef noodle soup, bubble tea, and lurou fan (braised pork rice) among others.

Surely, you’ll never go hungry.

Despite the beauty of Taiwan, keep in mind that it only allows foreign workers to work in their country for a maximum of 12 years. Make the most out of your stay, enjoy, and make sure to save up.

PAG-IBIG. This government agency stands for Pagtutulungan sa Kinabukasan: Ikaw, Bangko, Industriya, at Gobyerno. The main purpose of the agency is to provide affordable housing scheme through effective savings policy.

In August 27, 2009, the Home Development Mutual Fund Law or PAG-IBIG Fund Law (RA 9679) was passed and became effective thereafter, which aims to strengthen the agency’s ability to provide affordable housing schemes among others. The question now is how does this law affect OFWs?

Here are facts you need to know about the PAG-IBIG Fund Law of 2009:

Universal Coverage

RA 9679 has universal coverage, which means this covers all documented OFWs, both land-based and seafarers, which also aims to provide affordable housing opportunities to them. This means aside from the OWWA membership, all OFWs should also register with PAG-IBIG prior to date of departure. You will be given a Registration Tracking Number or RTN, which you will use when transacting with PAG-IBIG. Therefter, MID number will be given to you.

In case you weren’t able to register yet and you are abroad, there are PAG-IBIG posts located outside the Philippines located at the country’s respective embassies. You can check the locations here.

Monthly Contribution

You can increase your voluntary contribution every month to yield bigger savings. Unlike before when you were limited to P100 per month, you can increase your monthly contribution as long as it does not exceed the cap prescribed by the PAG-IBIG Board of Trustees.

How much will you contribute? Two percent of your monthly income. Keep in mind that the higher the contribution, the higher the dividends will be. The best part is what you’ll get after 20 years is tax-free as well.

Unlike Filipino employers, foreign employers are not expected to give contributions to PAG-IBIG, unless they voluntarily do so.

Modified PAG-IBIG II Program

If you want to get higher dividends within a short period, then this program is recommended. Minimum monthly contribution is P500 and maximum amount is P5,000.

Dividend rate is higher compared to the ordinary contribution scheme, but the return of your money is higher as well.

Previous Contributions Made

Prior to the passage of RA 9679, OFWs were under the PAG-IBIG Overseas Program or POP and contributions were regularly made.

Don’t worry. Your previous contributions under POP will be carried over and remain under your name. Even if you changed employers, the money you saved will stay with you.

Keep in mind that POP contributions and contributions made under the new scheme will not be merged. The total accumulated value for both facilities will remain separate and there is a possibility that you can get your POP contributions earlier even if you haven’t reached the 20 years yet under the new scheme.

If you want to discontinue with the POP and transfer to PAG-IBIG I scheme instead, then you may do so as long as you do not have existing loans with the agency.

Payment of Contribution 

Initially, you can do it in the Philippines during your registration. To ensure that you will be able to save no matter what happens, you can pay for your monthly contributions in the Philippine Embassy or Consulate in the country where you are assigned. The embassy allotted a desk specifically for PAG-IBIG wherein the person in-charge is authorized to transact.

Claiming of Contribution 

You can get your Total Accumulated Value (TAV) after 20 years and after making 240 monthly contributions. 

Nonetheless, there are exceptions to this rule. This includes:

• 15 years optional withdrawal provided 180 straight monthly contributions were made and you don’t have existing loan with PAG-IBIG.
• Claimant is 60 years of age.
• Mandatory retirement at 65.
• Transferring to another country permanently
• Total insanity or disability
• Loss of employment due to serious medical condition
• Death

You will receive the entire amount of your monthly contributions made plus contributions made by your employer (if any), and the dividends earned.

In case of Death 

The total accumulated value will be given to your registered dependents. Nonetheless, PAG-IBIG will deduct a portion of this savings in case you have existing obligations with the agency. Aside from the money you contributed, PAG-IBIG will also provide death benefits for your family.

The amount may not seem a lot, but this could be a great help for you to start over in case you want to settle in the Philippines and retire for good.

Do you have a retirement fund? If yes, then good for you. There’s no such thing as “too early for retirement,” especially when you want to live comfortably when you get older.

READ: 6 Tips to Help You Save for Retirement

Let’s say you still don’t have a retirement fund. That’s okay. It’s not yet too late as long as you start saving up for it now. Opening a specific account, which will serve as your retirement fund is fine. The problem with this is that you don’t get too earn more in terms of interest and at the same time, withdrawing money is tempting.

What is another option? Consider PERA or Personal Equity and Retirement Account.

READ: What You Need to Know about PERA

In a nutshell, PERA is the government’s way of encouraging Filipinos to save money for retirement. To make your money grow, your PERA contribution, which is currently offered by BDO and BPI only, will be invested in various channels like mutual funds, UITF, government securities, shares of stocks, insurance pension products, and other investment products.

The good thing about PERA is that you can only withdraw your contributions, which is tax-exempt, once you reach the age of 55 years old and has contributed for at least five years. 

Think of it as an additional retirement fund that supplements your retirement package from SSS/GSIS or the company you worked for.

The next question is this: should you apply for a PERA account for additional retirement savings option? 

The biggest selling point of PERA is the tax benefits. Compared to the products offered by banks, PERA has the following tax advantages:

• Income tax credit, wherein you get to enjoy five percent tax credit out of your total contribution. For instance, your total PERA contribution is P100,000. You will only declare P95,000 in in your income tax because you earned P5,000 tax credit.
• Investment income is tax-free, which means you are exempted from paying capital gains tax, final withholding tax, and regular income tax.
• Estate tax exemption, which means in case of death, the PERA contribution will be released to the heirs or legal beneficiaries, sans payment of estate tax and going through the lengthy probate process.

Aside from the tax benefits, you can also choose where you want to invest your money. There are many PERA investment products you can choose from depending on your risk profile, so go for a product that allows you to earn more.

Is it good enough for your retirement fund? The answer is yes. The tax incentives alone is a good reason to consider investing your money in PERA account. Just make sure you won’t withdraw the money before you turn 55 so you will get to enjoy tax benefits.

In case you’re still not convinced with PERA, below are some of your Retirement Fund alternatives:

• Savings Account – The good thing about having a separate account for retirement is that your cash is readily available. Unfortunately, withdrawing money is more tempting, plus you don’t get to earn more from interest every month.
• Investment Products – This includes mutual funds, time deposit, bonds, or stocks among others. Investment products yield higher return of investment compared to savings. Check out this post to know more about your options and according to what is more suitable to your lifestyle.
• Real Properties – It’s not enough that you have a house. Real properties are also an acceptable alternative for your retirement fund because you can earn from it by renting it out. This could be costly to buy compared to the other alternatives, but the money you earn from rent could help you a lot as you get older.

What path would you like to take to make your Retirement Fund happen?

You love your country, but with what’s happening, you can’t help but consider working overseas. After all, you need money to ensure and secure your family’s future. With the amount of money you are earning today, it won’t be enough to cover all the necessary expenses, including your own house, car, education, savings, and investment.

Apparently, someone told you that applying abroad can be overwhelming. There are a lot of documentation involved before you can even get a slot for interview.

The truth is applying overseas is similar to applying for a job here. Yes, there are additional documents you need to submit, but these documents are not hard to fulfill.

Below is a checklist of documents you need to prepare if you want to work abroad:

1. Updated Resume or CV – This is important. In fact, this is the first document you need to prepare when applying for a job overseas. Your resume or CV should contain your educational attainment, previous work experience/s, relevant trainings related to the job you are applying for, and references. You can check this post to help you write your resume and how to make it stand out.

2. Valid Passport – Surprisingly, there are many aspiring OFWs who are having trouble with this. Some were unaware that their passports are about to expire, thereby preventing them from applying overseas. If you want to work abroad, then make sure your passport is valid for at least six months. If it’s less than six months, then schedule a passport renewal immediately so you can start with the work application process.

3. Birth Certificate – Yes, this is necessary. The agency and your future employer need to know that the person before them is one and the same person; hence the submission of birth certificate. Take note that the birth certificate you will submit must be issued / authenticated by NSO, otherwise, it won’t be accepted.

4. School Credentials – Similar to applying for a job in the Philippines, you need to provide your school credentials such as transcript of record and diploma authenticated by the DepEd or CHED. Employers need to know how you were and school and use your school credentials as a gauge on whether or not you are qualified for the job. Keep in mind that foreign employers are not aware of the educational system in the Philippines, so provide as much information as you can.

5. Training Certificates – What did you do after school? Did you continue improving your skills by enrolling in classes or underwent training? If yes, make sure you include that in your file. Providing certificates from trainings or seminars attended leaves a good impression on foreign employers because it signifies that you are willing to improve yourself. Plus, not all companies have enough funds to train employees and showing them that you had the necessary trainings could seal the deal.

6. Employment Certificates – This is applicable if you have previous employment. This should include the company you worked for, the position held as well as job description, salary, and duration of employment among others. This gives future foreign employers a glimpse of how you were at work.

Other documents to be provided are:

• NBI, Police, or Barangay Clearance
• Marriage contract for female applicants
• National Commission of Muslim Filipinos for Filipino applicants

Are your documents complete?

Big Ben, Harrods, Buckingham Palace – these are some of the many places you want to see when in United Kingdom or UK. Everything looks sophisticated and who knows, you might be able to see a real-life prince. More than the attractive destinations, UK is a haven for many Filipinos. Job opportunities are endless, especially for caregivers and health professionals.

If you’re thinking of working in the biggest island in Europe, then this one is for you.

Facts about United Kingdom

United Kingdom is a union of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. English (with distinct accent) is the major language, but you will hear people speak in Welsh and the Scottish form of Gaelic in certain areas.

Tip: Make sure you familiarize yourself with British terms. “Cupboard” means cabinet, “lift” is for elevators, and they use “pub” instead of club. 

Its form of government is Parliamentary (House of Commons and House of Lords) with constitutional monarch headed by Queen Elizabeth II.

Don’t worry too much about “locals” because UK, especially in London is a melting pot for people of all races. You will definitely have co-workers from different countries, so diversity will not be an issue.

Weather

The weather in UK is dictated by southwest winds off the North Atlantic. Rain is also evenly divided throughout the year, so make sure you always bring umbrella or raincoat even if it’s sunny because you’ll never know when it might rain.

Be careful during summer because unlike in the Philippines, summer in UK means temperature above 10 degrees Celsius.

Cost of Living 

Since the financial crisis in 2008, living in London can be too much for one’s pocket.

One of the most important things you need to budget is accommodation, which will take a big chunk of your salary. It is best to look for fellow Filipinos to share the rental fees with so you can trim accommodation expenses to £300 to £400 per month. Consider living in urban areas since rural areas tend to be more expensive.

You also have to worry about council taxes, which vary depending on where you live. The council taxes in London can be £150 per month but if you live somewhere in North, the taxes to be paid is around £70 a month.

In terms of food, UK is among the countries in Europe with the highest prices. You can opt for fast food but if you love your health, you would want to consider going to supermarkets and cook your own food. You’ll be able to save more. Oh, and British people prefer tea over coffee, so make sure you have a stash before you leave the Philippines.

Transportation 

You can find all sorts of transportation in UK, so going from point A to point B won’t be a hassle for you. Make sure you get a Travelcard since you can use it access the tube (subway), train, bus, and other modes of public transport. Depending on your location, you can spend approximately £80 per week for transportation expenses.

Ask your employer for transport services since some companies, especially hospitals, provide rail cards to assist in transport costs.

Entertainment

There is so much to see in UK, so take some time to explore them while you’re there. Get acquainted with their history by visiting museums. Unfortunately, entertainment is considered as a luxury because of the ticket prices, but it won’t hurt if you experienced watching a theater show at least once in your life, right?

Filipino Community

The good news is there is a solid Filipino community in UK, so make sure you make friends with them. It feels good to have a piece of home in a foreign place and the Filipino community can help you battle homesickness every time you feel like giving up.

Whether you plan to work here or overseas, medical exam will always be part of the requirements you need to accomplish before you can start work. In fact, medical exam is stricter for overseas workers because you need to ensure that you are physically fit to work. The difference in weather conditions could affect you and your employer needs to ensure that you can endure that. After all, you’re under contract, right?

That being said, here are things you need to know about medical examination for OFWs:

When to take a medical exam?

Apparently, it’s not as soon as possible. You can schedule for a medical exam either after receiving your job offer overseas or after signing the overseas employment contract. Ask your employer about this first since they might require certain clinics, especially if you are headed to any countries in the Middle East.

How much? 

This usually depends on the medical clinic. Nonetheless, it is best to prepare at least P1,500.00 to cover for all procedures like urine and fecal test, and drug test among others. Once completed, you will be given a medical exam certificate, which is valid for three months.

The medical exam fee will be shouldered by you. In case you were issued a medical certificate and it’s about to expire but you still can’t leave the country, you will be required to take another medical exam, but this time, it will be shouldered by the agency.

What happens during medical examination? 

Don’t worry. Medical exam for aspiring OFWs is similar to how medical examination is conducted for new employees. You will be asked to take laboratory exam like blood, urine, and fecal tests. Your vision, hearing, and oral health will likewise be checked.

Thereafter, physical examination will be conducted. This is to check the status of your physical health and the existence of medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease, chronic renal failure, hypertension, and diabetes. You will also be asked to undergo psychological testing to make sure that you can cope and adapt with the new environment. Psychiatric diseases and neurological disorders are likewise prohibited from working overseas.

Medical exam varies per country. 

Every country that welcomes foreign workers has corresponding specifications and requirements in conducting medical examination.

For instance, if you are bound to Middle East countries specifically Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman, you should comply with the requirements set by Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) – Accredited Medical Clinics Association or GAMCA. This way, the specified countries are assured that no foreign workers with sexually transmitted disease, tuberculosis, and pulmonary scar can enter their respective countries.

What is the essence of medical exam? 

The answer is simple: to ensure that you are fit to work. If the medical certificate reflects that you are physically fit to work abroad, then you can proceed to the next steps so you can leave on time and start your work overseas. Otherwise, your job offer will be cancelled (or delayed, depending on the findings of the medical clinic) if the medical exam revealed that you are suffering from a specific condition.

What does this mean then? Take care of your health, regardless if you are planning to work overseas or not. Health is wealth and don’t waste your hard-earned money by spending it on hospital bills and maintenance medications.