If Only..
Everything in life is connect the dot game. Every decisions and actions is a risk to take. Life really is a ROLLERCOASTER!
If only I could turn back time… if only I can undo things, decisions made…
everything!
But I got
no choice.. I need to find a way to get out and get things done. That is why I want
to share this to others. No matter how
excited you are, no matter how you wanted to escape or wanted a better life or career..
PLEASE do think twice or thrice, think from time to time, no matter how busy
your day is. Never miss a single detail or sign that can make you think twice
for leaving. Be your own critique, don’t
let others influence your decisions.
It started
when I wanted a better career outside country hoping for green pasture as they
say. I applied as a Nurse here in Saudi Arabia through an agency. I had an interview
and the same day got selected by the employer. Right from that minute the
agency asked me to leave my passport and PRC ID for visa processing, so I handed
it to them. I don’t know if it’s a wise thing to do but I was too excited at
that time. After that interview, I had to complete the requirements, since I had
no idea about documents needed like DFA stamped documents and other stuff it
took me one month to complete it. During the completion of documents, from time
to time I went to the office of the agency to check on my application and I met
a man asking for his passport back. The man withdrawn his application in the
agency but I didn’t have a chance to ask why. Hearing about that, I double
checked the website of PEOA to see on the agency has permit to operate (FIRST THING TO DO) and it’s valid, so
my doubt was cleared. I don’t know what happened but it took them more than 3
months for me to let me leave Philippines, month of July I applied and November I left the country. A friend of mine said that for application here in Saudi, more
than three months of processing is enough to report
that agency to PEOA, not sure though, but that was my biggest mistake I didn’t
went to PEOA in the Philippines to ask for legal advice for my application (so,
whatever situations or even if your far from manila like me, please do go for
legal assistance to clarify matters in application especially outside country
work). I waited and waited until November
came, three days before the flight the agency called and needed me to go to
Manila at an instant. So I went to manila and directly met the agency for the
contract signing. They always tell us to read every letter in the contract and understand it,
so I did read, understand and signed (must to do read it carefully before signing).
But for me, I applied in an agency but
another agency processed my papers , I don’t know what happened. So, I checked
again if it’s a PEOA accredited and it was Also, when signing a contract please do check
if its notarized by a lawyer and check also the date of registration (be sure it’s recent, my
contract is dated 2010 but it was notarized). I don’t know if that’s ok still I
continue my application after everything, paying all the processing fee,
completing the documents and thinking
that my flight will be just in 2 days The next day they had me schedule for a
pre-departure orientation. Then the day came, I am here already in Saudi. I was
surprise that my contract was not followed. Every single detail in the contract
was not followed even the clinic name. My salary and overtime pay was not
followed. I read and gave a copy to my employer and still no actions. In fact,
the agency faxed an agreement form that they claimed that I signed but it was
my first time to see at that form and I noticed that my signature affixed was
just a scanned copy of my signature. I
was not surprise to see that with the ways and thinking of the agencies in the
Philippines but I was disappointed. I heard that not following the contract is
a common practice here. They always find a way to use you and abuse your
skills, time, effort , patience and understanding. People here are close minded
and will take advantage on you. So BE
CAREFUL, BE CAUTIOUS and BE TOUGH.
If ever
something wrong will happen, fight for your right. Do trust our Government, the
Philippine Embassy is our voice when we are away from our country. They will
help and fixed the problem in any way they can. Friend of mine took a great strength to submit
a complaint against the employer. The process took time. So patience is essential. Follow the process, don’t make a
shortcut, continue your work even if it’s hard, do not give any reason for your
employer to file a case against you, fight SMART. Not every complaint has a successful story, person
in dire need will take desperate measures to make her story a success.
That was my friend did and now lived happily ever after.
I may have
made a wrong decison but it’s not the end of my story! I still have one best
shot to get things right and I’m ready to fight for my right!
As they
say:
“For a person to get what she wants and be
where she wants to be, she has to make THE FIRST STEP!”
~Louie Mae Vardeleon
