‘nCoV-20’ for OFWs
LAST week, the novel coronavirus that started from China in the Year of the Rat had already claimed 1,383 lives and infected at least 64,000 people. At home, three confirmed cases and a death have been reported.
To blunt the stigma of the previous tag of novel coronavirus disease (19-nCoV), the World Health Organization (WHO) reclassified the disease as Covid-19. The epidemic has brought China almost to a standstill as the country undergoes a structural slowdown. The spillover effects are sending financial shivers to the First World countries relying on China for materials and reliable product output.
In addition, the repatriation of workers from China as well as Filipino crew members in the unwanted cruise ship Diamond Princess are seen as potential contributory factors to reduced remittances for 2020.
Manufacturing recovery is not expected soon. Even as the Chinese Communist Party declared a return to workday, Beijing’s malls and other outlets in Hubei province see only a few shoppers.
The Washington Post quoted a convenience store owner as saying, “we’re lucky to see more than 20 people in an hour.”
Alternative migration destinations
When a health specter or political conflict occurs in regions where there are significant numbers of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), the search for alternative migration destinations resurfaces.
Unless an OFW has a pending immigrant visa petition in the US or the potential of being sponsored by a qualified family member or a recognized employer, the OFWs cast their collective gaze towards Canada, Australia or New Zealand. The United Kingdom is also being considered since the UK and Ireland are English-speaking countries.
But the stigma of Brexit, the uncertainty of qualifying for settlement even after working for five years (the mandatory minimum before an OFW may qualify for indefinite leave to remain status) puts the UK at the bottom end of the migration totem pole.
Skilled workers overseas — including OFWS — may opt to enter the immigrant selection system of Canada (Express Entry), Australia (SkillSelect) and New Zealand (Expression of Interest).
Most OFWs may meet the minimum criteria and earn sufficient points to be part of the candidate selection pool: 67 for Canada; 65 for Australia and 100 for New Zealand.
To be invited to apply for permanent residency, however, an OFW candidate in the pool must score at least 90 to be taken out of the SkillSelect pool; 160 from NZ’s EOI and 471 from Canada’s Express Entry.
Taking up further studies in these countries improve the chances of being selected since international students are allowed to work part-time while studying. Full-time work is allowed during school breaks. Such an exposure to employers enhance the probability of getting a job offer (which boosts a candidate’s ranking in the pool)
Most OFWs would rather work than study again. The key is getting a job offer. Since international students are readily available, an employer in Canada, Australia or New Zealand would give candidates in the pool the first shot at residency or employment.
Never fear or lose hope
Hope resides in the approved job orders of licensed recruitment agencies in the POEA website. The official websites of Australia and New Zealand for example shows which trade or occupations are in short supply and therefore, a job offer in such an occupation is more likely available.
Australia has the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills Shortage List (MLTSSL) as well as the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), the Regional Occupation List (ROL) or the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) ROL List.
Employer-sponsored visas such as the Temporary Skill Shortage visa, Skilled Regional (Provisional), Skilled Work Regional and the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visas allow an OFW to say in Australia for from three to five years then become eligible to apply for permanent residency.
To get a job offer, an OFW may apply directly with an Australian employer’s website. As stated earlier though, employers have the luxury of getting prequalified candidates in the SkillSelect pool or offer international students part-time jobs preparatory to hiring them full-time after course completion.
Then, there’s the list of approved job orders with the POEA. If permanent residency is being contemplated later, then the OFW must check whether his or her occupation is on any of the aforementioned Australia’s lists.
Since Australia and New Zealand share the same occupational classification, NZ may be considered first because NZ’s Long Term and Skills Shortage List (LTSSL) has a specific and shorter list of occupations for skilled OFWs who may have completed a degree or diploma a notch below the bachelor’s degree.
NZ points indicator for skilled migrants
An OFW who gets a job offer and completes a one- to two-year contract may then apply for permanent residency through New Zealand’s Expression of Interest in the skilled migrant category.
The points computation below is a guide only. NZIS emphasizes that “only an immigration officer can award the claimed points during their assessment of a skilled worker’s visa application”
The points earned for the specific criteria are the ones in effect on and after Aug. 28, 2017.
– 30 points for 30 years of age (age range 20 to 39 years old)
– 50 points for having 2 years of work in New Zealand after being sponsored by an accredited NZ employer
– 10 points if the occupation is on NZ’s Long Term Skills Shortage List (LTSSL) and worker meets the requirements for that occupation
– 30 points if the job is outside of Auckland
– 40 points for a recognized qualification (worker’s academic qualifications in the Philippines is Level 3-6) To get the points for this criterion, a New Zealand registration authority’s assessment is needed.
– 20 points for 4 years of skilled work experience (obtained in or outside New Zealand)
– 10 points for work experience gained in New Zealand
– 10 points if the work experience in New Zealand (2-5 years) is in an occupation that is on the LTSSL
The total points potential for this OFW would be 200, over and above the threshold point required (160) to be invited to apply for permanent residency.
At the time of writing, the following trade occupations are on NZ’s LTSSL (note the ANZCO code following the occupation and the NZQF level required):
– Automotive electrician (321111) A certificate at NZQF Level 4, or a higher qualification, which includes the credit and knowledge requirements of one of the strands of the New Zealand Certificate in Automotive Electrical Engineering (NZQF Level 4).
– Diesel motor mechanic (including heavy vehicle inspector) (321212) A certificate at NZQF Level 4, or a higher qualification, which includes the credit and knowledge requirements of the New Zealand Certificate in Heavy Automotive Engineering (NZQF Level 4) and a minimum of three years’ relevant post-qualification work experience.
– Electrician (general) (341111) NZ registration as an electrician or a limited certificate as an electrician from the Electrical Workers Registration and
– Electric line mechanic (342211) NZ registration as a line mechanic or a limited certificate as a line mechanic from the Electrical Workers Registration Board.
An OFW may simply want to work — without considering permanent migration later — so the POEA website for approved job orders maybe consulted other than an Australian employer’s website.
The POEA list of approved job orders through licensed agencies which is the closest occupation (as described in the LTSSL and at time this column was written are (the number of approved job orders and when the job order was approved are also shown):
– Assistant electrical – 50, 1/31/2020;
– Auto mechanic (general) – 1, 1/30/2020;
– Automotive technician – 10, 1/23/2020;
– Auto electrician – 25, 1/16/2020 and
– Automotive mechanic – 14, 1/6/2020.
Be aware that when deployed through a POEA-licensed agency, an OFW usually would have to sign a contract. An important part of that contract is the agreement for the OFW to complete the employment period and return to the Philippines instead of staying in the country to pursue a permanent residency application.
Non-compliance with this provision could subject the OFW to stiff penalties and potential charges of contract violation. If filed in court, the OFW could have a red flag when he or she applies for an NBI clearance. Without an NBI clearance, the residency application could be refused.
So, what is the nCoV-20 that could affect the OFW? Is it the virus that scared the world in this year of the Rat (the dreaded rodent disease carrier)?
Non-Compliance of Visa requirements in 2020, that is.
Source: www.manilatimes.net