Hong Kong Scraps Levy on Domestic Workers

Hong Kong has abolished the HK$HK$9,600 (US$1,239 ) levy paid by employers for each foreign domestic worker they hire, reports Inquirer.net. The Philippine government welcomed the move. The levy will be abolished after the law expires in July 2013.

Poll: Most Asians, Including Fil-Ams, Voted for Obama

Exit Poll: Most Asians, Including Fil-Ams, Voted for Obama

A nonpartisan multilingual exit poll of Asian American voters in the November 2012 Presidential Elections--the largest survey of its kind in the nation--showed that the majority of Asian Americans voted for Barack Obama. Contrary to data from another poll previous to the election, up to 65 percent of Filipino Americans chose Obama over Mitt Romney.

The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) poll of 9,096 Asian American voters showed three-quarters (77%) of Asian Americans polled voted for Barack Obama for President: from highest to lowest--Bangladeshi (96%); Pakistani (91%); Indian (84%); Chinese (81%); Korean (78%); Filipino (65%); and Vietnamese (44%). The poll was conducted in 37 cities across 14 states on Election Day.

Filipinos With Bachelor’s Degrees Welcome in Norway

Filipinos with bachelor’s degrees can apply for residence permits to study and work in Norway, reports Journal.com.ph.
The Norwegian Embassy has opened the Residence Permit to Learn Norwegian program, which allows permit holders to work part-time while taking language courses. The program offers a smooth transition to permanent residency for those granted the residence permit to learn Norwegian who have a bachelor’s or higher degree with a minimum of work experience in their field of study. Some 682 Filipinos In 2010, mostly nurses, engineers and hotel and restaurant management graduates were granted residence permits. Maritime graduates are also encouraged to apply.
Norwegian ships employ more than 25,000 Filipino seafarers on its international fleet.


OFWs Blamed for Rise of TB in Malaysia

Foreign immigrants have been blamed for the rising number of tuberculosis (TB) cases in Malaysia last year--4,426 cases against 3,794 cases previously, reports the Daily Express of Malaysia. Deputy Health Minister Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin said 30 per cent of the total were reported in Sabah, the majority of which involved Filipinos, representing 19 per cent of the total patients.

Five Badjaos Adrift for a Month Rescued Off Sulawesi

Five  Badjao people were found drifting in the Sulawesi Sea by Search and Rescue Units of North Sulawesi, Indonesia last January 11, reports the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs.  One of the male survivors said that they may have been victims of super typhoon Pablo due to the big waves and strong currents they encountered. They left Siasi, Sulu early December and drifted out at sea for one month after running out of fuel. 

Filipinos Warned of China's New Immigration Law

The Philippine Consulate General in Guangzhou advised Filipinos traveling to China to abide by that country’s new immigration law on illegal entry, residence and employment of foreigners, which will be in effect on July 1, GMA News reports. Violations will result in huge fines and detention. Under the new law, employers who hire foreigners without the proper permits and documentation will also be penalized.

Six OFWs Killed in Algeria Hostage Crisis, Four Missing

Six Filipinos died in the hostage crisis in Algeria and four others are still missing, reports Inquirer.net. IThe Department of Foreign Affairs made the announcement Monday but declined to give details on the identities of the male fatalities. The DFA said that based on reports received from the Philippine government’s team in Algeria and the country’s embassy in London, 26 Filipinos worked at the In Amenas gas plant that was attacked by al-Qaida-linked gunmen last week. 

Comelec to Remove 230,000 OFWs from Voters List

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday announced that it will  proceed with removing more than 230,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from the official voters list for failing to notify the commission of their intent to vote on May 13, reports Inquirer.net.