Enlistment overhaul

The Australian army is changing its rules to allow former recreational drug users and asthmatics to enlist, reports the <I>Australian</I>. The proposed rule changes are part of a 10-year recruitment overhaul package the Cabinet will begin to consider next week. However, the army wants to maintain a zero-tolerance policy (on drugs) for people in defence, the paper quoted Defence Minister Brendan Nelson as saying.

Bias against beginners

The Kenyan Government has shelved a rule that would have given preference to registered teachers, thereby locking out thousands of teachers seeking employment, reports the East African Standard. The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) had said in a newspaper advert for 7,332 teachers: "Preference would be given to teachers with registration certificates". But TSC secretary Gabriel Lengoiboni said the rule would not be applied in this year's recruitment.

Monster attacks Philadelphia

Monster Worldwide and privately-owned Philadelphia Media Holdings have formed a joint web site to deliver recruitment services to employers and job seekers in the Philadelphia area, reports Dow Jones. The new site will be available from 14 August.

Beware of illegal recruiters

Seven Filipinos who had been falsely promised high-paying jobs as teachers and engineers in Vietnam were rescued by the Philippine embassy in Hanoi after their recruiters abandoned them a few days after their arrival, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. The department warned Filipinos against promises of high-salaried jobs in the country. Phillipine Ambassador to Hanoi, Estrella Berenguel advised all Filipinos who want to work in Vietnam to go through the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and the Overseas Workers' Welfare Administration to avoid being victimised.