INFOGRAPHIC: The story of overseas Filipino workers

Remittances sent home by Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) have been instrumental in the Philippines' economic growth. In 2009, when everybody thought that OFWs would be the first ones to suffer because of the global economic crisis, the Philippines still received more remittances valued at $17.35 billion.  Remittances have been resilient despite crises, thanks to the unwavering commitment of Filipino workers to their families in the Philippines. But we must not forget - there...

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Overseas Filipino workers mostly young but getting 'older,' says NSCB

Young Filipinos still make up the bulk of Overseas Filipino workers but there is a very slight trend showing that OFWs are getting older, according to a report by the National Statistical Coordination Board. The report, "The Pinoy Diaspora: Where do our OFWs come from and where do they go?" posted on the NSCB web site said that although OFWs in the 25 to 29 age group comprise about a fourth of all Filipinos leaving for work abroad, data for the last three years show that the number...

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Pinay OFW work for free for 2 years

A Filipina domestic helper was repatriated Monday after a Chinese couple in Hong Kong forced her to work without pay for two years. Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Leila de Lima and Undersecretary Jose Vicente Salazar welcomed the woman when she arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2, accompanied by her mother and sister. Salazar, who heads the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), said he believes the woman, who is in her early 20s, is a victim...

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POEA Ordered Forced Closure of Two Agencies

Overseas recruitment agencies who fail to follow the rules and regulations in hiring overseas workers face the risk of having their licenses canceled. However, even with cancelled licenses, some recruitment agencies continue to hire applicants for overseas deployment. Such is the case with Northwest Placement Inc. and Reajent Manpower Services Inc. To make sure that these agencies will not be able to continue their illegal operations, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) chief, Hans Leo J. Cacdac and Vice-President...

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From Janitor to Entrepreneur, an OFW story

These days, Lady Luck is probably smiling from ear to ear on businessman Sebastian “Steve” Tamayo. Managing several outlets of his famous chain of restaurants--Tamayo’s and other businesses, including a consultancy firm, a flower shop and catering services, Steve considers himself as one of the luckiest people in the world. But life was not all a bed of roses for this self-styled restaurant owner. He, like, many of us, had been knocked down and hit rock bottom...

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Filipina Maid inherits $6M

A lot of us have been dreaming of winning big in Sweepstakes, all ticket buyers and non-ticket buyers alike. :) I myself have been imagining on hitting the lucky pot, especially when the stake in the Philippine Lotto hits 741M Php (S$22.45M). And when a certain lucky guy hit it, that was the time when I realized that I was only dreaming as I was not buying any lotto ticket for me to win. Anyone willing to buy a ticket for me? Just hit me a message. Hehe. One time while I was waiting for a lift in one of the malls here in Singapore, there...

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