Everything You Need To Know as a Care Worker

Introduction

Working as a care worker in the Philippines or domestic helper in different countries is the most common job offered to Filipinos or OFWs or Overseas Filipino Workers. In fact, according to a 2019 survey made by PSA or Philippine Statistics Authority, an estimated 2.2M Filipinos are working abroad as care workers. If you think you are called to become a helper whether in the Philippines or abroad, then maybe being a care worker or domestic helper is for you!

What is A Care Worker?

Filipinos can choose between working in the Philippines or abroad as office workers, teachers, nurses, and even as care workers. Being a care worker means you can work for a company or work directly to an employer’s home.

There are care workers in different countries that will require an OFW to undergo training and get a certificate prior to working with the employers. However, some companies or employers won’t even require a certificate before accepting you as their helper.

Responsibilities of a Care Worker

Care Worker and Domestic Helper have no major difference. In fact, a helper can work in a hospital, in a company, or in the employer’s house as a maid or helper. Below are some of the main responsibilities that a care worker should do:

Take Care of the Elderly

This is one of the most common tasks for a care worker, to look after an elder or senior. Care worker doesn’t only assist elders but also toddlers.

Manage the Employer’s House

Aside from working in a hospital, it is also a care worker/domestic helper’s task to manage the house, maintain cleanliness and do household chores for their employer.

Running Errands

Part of being a care worker is running errands for the employer. It can be fetching their kids at school or simply paying bills or doing grocery for the employer’s family.

What Are the Requirements to be a Care Worker in the Philippines and Abroad?

As stated above, some companies or employers will require an OFW to undergo a specific training course before becoming a care worker in Japan. But aside from the certificate or training, an OFW should prepare the following requirements:

・Be in the legal age. Age 18 years old and above

・Valid Philippine Passport

・Working Visa

・Basic Knowledge in English Knowledge

・Have at least 1 (one) year of work experience as a domestic helper or care worker in other countries or any similar job

・Valid NBI Clearance or no criminal record in the Philippines

If you are working as a care worker in the Philippines, a resume and NBI clearance are just the basic requirements of an employer or company.

Salary and Job Opportunities

Care worker or domestic helper will surely receive good compensation abroad as long as he/she has completed the training course. As a reference, below are the expected salary and job opportunities abroad as a care worker.

Salary

In the Philippines, a personal care worker or a helper’s salary would cost about Php 6,000 to Php 12,000 a month. Abroad, say for example in Japan, a typical care worker in Japan earns about 200-,000 to 380,000 JPY per month which is about almost 100,000 to 150,000 Philippine Peso a month.

Job Opportunities

In the Philippines, if you’re interested to work in a company looking for a care worker, just visit any job hiring website. But if you’re keen on working abroad, then visit the POEA website or the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration for more updates.

Interested to apply as a care worker in Japan as OFW? Then this article is for you!

Final ThoughtsWorking as a care worker in the Philippines or abroad is not easy. Taking care of others especially toddlers, seniors, and household chores is difficult while looking after yourself and your health. However, some employers are easy to deal with, making your work less difficult. Always remember your inspiration to work, and be devoted to your work so it can be enjoyable and fun.