module 6 country cozy-asia pacific

PRE-EMPLOYMENT ORIENTATION SEMINAR (PEOS ONLINE)

MODULE 6: GET COUNTRY COZY

ASIA-PACIFIC RIM COUNTRIES

Pre-Employment Orientation Seminar (PEOS) Online - powered by JobStreet.comModule 6: GET COUNTRY COZY-- What do I need to know about my overseas employer’s country?

Get Country Cozy!

Continue to keep your options open; get to know more about the country you are interested in.

Know the following:

Visa FeeMedical Examination FeeAirfareClimateFoodDress codeGeneral lifestyleFlying time from the PhilippinesMajor religionCurrencyImmigration and labor laws Presence of Philippine Embassy or Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO)


Asia-Pacific Rim Countries

Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei Darussalam have a climate similar to the Philippines. There are places of worship for Christians and Catholics in Hong Kong and Singapore; the major religion of Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam is Islam. The Philippines has embassies, consulates, and Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in these countries. English is widely spoken and understood.

*For more details, visit www.owwa.gov.ph

http://www.owwa.gov.ph/


Living and working in Hong Kong can be costly, considered to be one of the places with high cost of living, although tax rate is one of the lowest in the world.

Cost of rent is high. Electricity and water rates are relatively expensive, as well as grocery shopping, as almost everything is imported. To give you an idea – a liter of milk costs HK$20 = PHP120.00!

HONG KONG






continuation of . .

COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES OF DOMESTIC WORKERS IN HONG KONG



MACAU-SAR, CHINA

Macau has a high standard of living. Accommodation cost is high and comparable to Hong Kong and Singapore. This is the reason why OFWs in Macau spend a considerable amount of their wages on housing rental.

All Macau residents including foreign workers enjoy utility subsides such as electricity and water.

Although Macau has no existing minimum wage law, its Human Resource Office provides the acceptable salary for the specific profession, skill category or position that is being applied by the sponsoring employer. The approved salary will be based on the current standard of living applicable for that particular worker. (As of March 2014)



MACAU-SAR, CHINA

1MOP=US$ 0.1252701MOP=PHP 5.470021USD= PHP 43.66(as of July 2014)


Asia-Pacific Rim CountriesTAIWAN Taiwan is located north of the Philippines. Flying time from Manila to Taipei, the capital city is approximately 1 hr. and 45 minutes only.

Taiwan has four seasons - summer, winter, fall and spring, although there is no snow in winter, only chilly wind. Three to four typhoons visit the country every year but they would bring floods and could uproot trees. Taiwan is also prone to having strong earthquakes.

The culture in Taiwan is mixed. Mandarin Chinese is taught in schools but spoken language is split between Mandarin and Taiwanese. English is the most popular foreign language.

In terms of religious belief, Taiwan is also open to all types of religious thoughts and practices. Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity, Mormonism, the Unification Church, Islam, and Hinduism, as well as native sects such as Yiguandao and others can be practiced.


Asia-Pacific Rim CountriesTAIWAN

Transportation is very efficient and affordable. Broadband internet connection is very accessible.

Pork, seafood, chicken, rice, and soy are very common ingredients in Taiwan cuisine. Beef is less common, particularly among the elderly generation.

There are stores selling Filipino food, phone cards and other stuffs normally needed by Filipino workers. Workers in factories often get free accommodation (dormitory type) or if they have to pay for their living quarters, they also choose to stay within the premises of the factory, thus saving on transportation cost. There are also canteens or cafeterias in the factories offering cheaper foods than in fastfood outlets found outside the workplace.


Asia-Pacific Rim CountriesTAIWAN

1 NT= PHP 1.461 US$=PHP 43.66(as of July 2014)


Asia-Pacific Rim CountriesSINGAPORE This country has numerous rules that you have to follow otherwise you will be reprimanded or fined -

Do not smoke in public places such as taxis, movie houses, government offices and in air-conditioned establishments.

Do not throw of cigarette butts on the streets. Do not spit in public. All kinds of littering is reprimanded.

Do not sell and posses chewing gum.

Flush the toilet, especially in public restrooms, after using it.

Do not bring fresh meat into the country unless you have obtained an official permit to do so. Do not bring any animals, birds, reptiles and insects into or out of the country.

Do not be late. Singaporeans are very particular with keeping time.




Asia-Pacific Rim CountriesMALAYSIA The cost of living in Malaysia is exceptionally low. Beef, poultry, pork and mutton are the most common meat products in Malaysia. Like fruits and vegetables, they are present all-year round and are sold widely, fresh, and at very low rates.

Malaysian housing costs are low even in big cities like Kuala Lumpur. Clothes, footwear, electronic devices, household appliances are also very affordable.

In general, it is one of the most inexpensive countries in the world to live in.




Asia-Pacific Rim CountriesBRUNEI

His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mui’izzaddin Waddaulah has announced that the Shari’ah Penal Code Order 2013 will be implemented in the Sultanate of Brunei Darussalam.

The Sharia law is the law of Islam, which is cast from the Quran, the actions and words of Muhammad, and the collective reasoning and deductions of Muslim imams. With the implementation of this new law, Filipino workers in Brunei and those seeking overseas employment in Brunei should know the important facts of this law.

To know more about the code, visit (insert URL)





Taiwan, Korea, and Japan have four seasons: spring, summer, fall, and winter. Different sets of clothing are required. There are Philippine embassies and consulates in these countries. Although English is spoken and understood, familiarity with the local language is recommended particularly in South Korea and Japan.




Asia-Pacific Rim CountriesJAPAN Japan has a very high standard of living. It is considered as one of the most expensive countries in the world to live in. Everything from transportation to food to apartment rentals may be way over the budget of a regular worker.

Accommodation is the largest expense one will have in Japan where housing or rental cost is very costly especially, inside Tokyo. Even single-room apartments are expensive costing around JP¥ 90,000. Utilities such as gas, water and electricity are expensive, and phone rates are also high.

Food is likewise expensive including raw materials like fruits, meat and vegetables. One (1) kilo of white rice cost JP¥ 560.00 or US$6.00. A meal at a more average restaurant costs roughly between JP¥1,000 and JP¥3,000. You might have to spend PHP24,000.00 a month on food and drinks. (as of May 2014)



http://www.expatforum.com/articles/cost-of-living/cost-of-living-in-malaysia.html


Asia-Pacific Rim CountriesJAPAN

Let us see how much your take home pay will be at the end of the day.

1¥= US$0.009871 US$= PHP43.66(as of July 2014)

http://www.expatforum.com/articles/cost-of-living/cost-of-living-in-malaysia.html


Asia-Pacific Rim CountriesSOUTH KOREA

The Koreans value their families more than anything else. Family welfare is much more important than the needs of the individual.

The cost of living in South Korea is relatively low. Eating Korean food is a cheaper than buying western food. The cost of a Starbucks coffee in Seoul is about USD 5, equivalent to PHP 200.00.

Since they manufacture electrical goods such as televisions, DVD players, digital cameras, cellular telephones, computers and high tech gadgets, naturally you will find them incredibly cheap.

Koreans adhere to certain meeting etiquette. Greetings follow strict rules of protocol. For example: The person of lower status bows to the person of higher status, yet it is the most senior person who initiates the handshake. The person who initiates the bow says, "man-na-suh pan-gop-sumnida", which means "pleased to meet you."




Asia-Pacific Rim CountriesAustralia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea have very different climates altogether. As a continent, Australia has 4 seasons plus very wet and intense dry spells. New Zealand has 4 seasons, while Papua New Guinea has very dry and wet seasons. English is widely spoken and understood




Asia-Pacific Rim CountriesAUSTRALIA


OFW’s in Australia enjoy relatively competitive salaries and healthy and safe workplaces. This is owing to the non-discrimination policy of the host government whereby temporary migrant workers are similarly covered by the Fair Work Act 2009 which affords all workers fair pay, basic rights and protection in the workplace. Complaints over pay and conditions are handled by the Fair Work Ombudsman, unfair dismissal by the Fair Work Ombudsman and Industrial Relations Commissions of various states, while issues relative to bullying, harassment and discrimination are handled by the Australian Human Rights Commission. (as of May 2014)



Asia-Pacific Rim CountriesAUSTRALIA

Let us see how much your take home pay will be at the end of the day.

1 AUD = 0.90 USD 1 USD = PHP 43.66 (as of July 2014)


Nowadays, communicating with family members, relatives and friends is easier with the advancements in communications technology. Text messaging, email and video and video calling through Skype and Viber are within reach and are relatively cheaper than the traditional telephone calls. Social networking sites and facilities such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram likewise allow individuals to connect and share photos and documents online with other people in an instant.

PAUSE BEFORE YOU POST: SOCIAL MEDIA ETIQUETTE

These technologies, specially social networking sites could nonetheless pose a threat to one’s privacy and security. Some countries may have restrictive policies on internet usage, or punish certain acts that are committed over the cyberspace, such as accessing pornographic sites, damaging one’s reputation through social media, and visiting sites that may compromise national security, which are not necessarily criminal offenses in the Philippines.



Some people over-share personal information or are too open with certain personal information and feelings, as well as pictures, without regard to negative consequences. This may lead to a potentially damaged online reputation, identity theft, and loss of employment. A migrant worker was reportedly dismissed from work due to messages against race and religion that were posted on social media, which were considered by the employer as offensive to the host country and violative of established company values and regulations.

Remember, when you work overseas, you are expected to act according to the norms and give your utmost respect to your host country’s laws and regulations, and cultural and religious beliefs.


Take a look at the following pointers that you can keep in mind before sharing your thoughts or mementos online:

1) Consider setting your privacy control to a limit, for instance, ‘to your friends only’. Add only your trusted and closest friends as “friends”.

2) Avoid accepting your boss as friend in social networking sites or follow his social account. As much as possible, keep your personal matters and work completely separate.

3) Do not use social media as venue to express complaints about work. Anything you may post online maybe taken against you. Use available company grievance machinery and other government mechanisms to report violation of rights and contractual breaches.


4) Never criticize or ridicule the culture, traditions, and religious beliefs of your host country and of other countries, including characteristics or traits of its peoples that you may find different from your own.

5) Do not upload obscene, illicit or otherwise incriminating photos of you or of other people.

6) Do not engage in online debates and discussions on the political situation and religious issues.


- END OF MODULE 6 -

module 6 country cozy-asia pacific

Education