Thursday, July 24, 2008

Migrante condemns Malacañang's refusal to remove remittance charges

Press Statement
July 24, 2008

Migrante International, a militant alliance of overseas Filipino workers' (OFW) groups worldwide today condemns the refusal of Malacañang to remove charges and fees on remittances sent by OFWs.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Lorelie Fajardo earlier stated that the government can not easily scrap or even lessen because they contribute largely to the economy.

"The refusal of this government to grant immediate relief to the OFWs and their families, which the government called the Bagong Bayani, shows that the Arroyo government sees OFWs as nothing but "milking cows".

Migrante likened the rejection of scrapping remittance charges to the refusal of Malacañang to remove 12% VAT on oil and power to provide a little relief for the people.

Migrante also warned President Arroyo not to use the plight of OFWs in her SONA.

The group said they will instead join People's SONA to demand the scrapping of remittance charges and to support the workers' demand for P125 wage increase, the removal of VAT on oil and the junking of the oil deregulation law.

Migrante said their chapters in different countries will also launch their own protests on July 28, the date of President Arroyo's SONA.

Migrante International is pushing for the scrapping of remittance charges because OFWs are also affected by skyrocketing prices of basic needs and services in the country.

Foreign exchange remitted by OFWs through banks reached another new high record of $1.4 billion in May according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

"While government through remittance taxes and big business, specifically banks, telephone carriers and other financial institutions are enjoying huge profits, OFWs are tightening their belts even more just to ensure that the average $200 that they send to their families can bring enough food to the tables," Migrante chairperson Connie Bragas-Regalado said.

An initial study conducted by Migrante International revealed that for every $200.00 remittance sent every month, at least $15- 22 in service fees are charged. With 10 million OFWs sending this minimum, $1B are earned by the banks on a monthly basis alone.

On the other hand, not only have the billions of dollars worth of remittances been used by government to keep the economy afloat, but it also directly profits from taxes imposed on remittances, such as the .15% documentary stamp tax for every remittance transaction.

For every billion dollar remitted monthly, government is able to collect an average of $1.5M or P62M. This is apart from all the other fees that government charges even before the ofws leave the country.

Regalado said that the scrapping of remittance charges and taxes is but a just demand. She said that this predatory practice is practically feeding off the blood, sweat and tears of millions of OFWs.

For reference: Connie Bragas-Regalado, Chairperson (0927-2157392)
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Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Kanta-lampagin si Gloria!

http://www.aimini.net/view/?fid=S4sG2SghbhLwd0N8Az8Q

Friday, July 18, 2008

Migrante ME to Arroyo: Scrap remittance fees, decide now!

Press Release
18 July 2008

Migrante ME to Arroyo: Scrap remittance fees, decide now!

“This administration is in a mode of “killing us softly”, thus declared today by an alliance of overseas Filipino workers’ organizations in the Middle East .

“We can’t wait any longer for the Arroyo administration to fix its decision; it is imperative for Mrs. Arroyo to decide to scrap remittance charges,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante Middle East regional coordinator.

Early this month, Migrante International, the largest alliance of OFW organizations worldwide started its campaign urging the Arroyo administration to scrap the charges on remittances for OFWs.

In its reply to OFWs demand, Department of Finance Secretary Margarito Teves during an interview in a local radio station in Manila last week said the government is considering to lower the remittance fees for OFWs in a bid to help their families cope with the effects of inflation rate.
“We are reminding the Arroyo administration that OFW-families are also hit hard by the weekly oil price increases that push up the prices of basic commodities,” Monterona added.

Monterona said OFWs average monthly wage of US$250 is not enough as the daily cost of living now for a family with six members is now P871.

“With a surge of OFW remittances reaching now to a total of $6.8 billion from January to May 2008, it is but sensible for the Arroyo administration to moderate its greed by deciding to scrap the remittance fees collected from OFWs as a concrete manifestation of its bid to help OFW families cope up the effects of rising prices of oil and other basic commodities” Monterona said.

Monterona said that instead of giving dole outs or any similar economic relief package for OFWs, it is more fruitful and meaningful for the Arroyo administration to scrap the remittances fees collected from OFWs.

“OFW dependents would be very happy, thankful for their husband or wife with complementary flying kisses and sweet text messages, to receive remittances complete or 100% without any charges for the very first time. This makes our fellow OFWs’ hearth grow,” Monterona added.

The OFW leader further said that if the Arroyo administration has a kind heart and concern for OFWs, it will surely decide to scrap remittances fees without any hesitation; “but it seems it is the otherwise,” he continued.

“Though we are not expecting that Mrs. Arroyo will decide on OFWs’ favor by scrapping the remittances fees rather than protecting the interests of money transfer companies, banks and, telecommunications companies and her own administration who is the main beneficiary of OFWs remittances, we will welcome if she will pronounce during her July 28 State of the Nations Address, the lowering of remittances fees and immediately direct the concerned government agencies for execution,” Monterona averred.

“Only then, OFWs and their families would say to her “Thanks, but no thanks” as after all, OFW remittance must be free of charge considering the valuable contribution of OFW remittances in keeping the economy afloat,” Monterona ended.

For reference:
John Leonard Monterona
Migrante Middle East regional coordinator
Mobile No.: 00966 564 97 8012

`Kanta-lampagin si Gloria' protests continue:

OFW group sings to the seamen

Press Release
July 18, 2008

Members of Migrante International today trooped to T.M. Kalaw in Manila to serenade seamen and seaman wanna-be's gathering in the famous street to find jobs aboard and bring their petition signing campaign.

"Here, we are certain that all are affected by the skyrocketing prices of food and fuel. The long queues for seamen jobs, despite the extreme loneliness and hazards seaman experiences while at sea, reveal how much Filipinos want to escape poverty," said Garry Martinez, spokesperson of Migrante International in explaining the group's "Kanta-lampagin si Gloria" campaign. "They are hard-pressed to look for whatever means to support their families.

Kalaw is popularly known as home to many seamen recruiting agencies.

"This is why we chose this venue to launch our petition signing campaign to scrap remittance charges in the area. These applicants for jobs abroad also need immediate economic relief from the government. The scrapping of remittance charges and remittance taxes will surely be of interest to them."

The petition signing was accompanied by songs from the group as part of their Kanta-lampagin si Gloria series. The song highlights the worries OFWs are facing with the severe economic crunch the country is suffering from.

Martinez continues, "The remittances OFWs send have reached another new high for the month of May. While government through remittance taxes and big business, specifically banks, telephone carriers and other financial institutions are enjoying huge profits, OFWs are tightening their belts even more just to ensure that the average $200 that they send to their families can bring enough food to the table. The scrapping of remittance charges and taxes is but a just demand."

In response to Migrant's calls, Vice President Noli de Castro and Finance Secretary Margarito Teves have earlier stated that the lessening of remittance charges is under study. Migrante is calling for a full scrapping of the charges.

"Migrante fully supports the workers' just demand for P125 wage increase, the removal of VAT on oil and the junking of the oil deregulation law," he said.

"We are determined to echo the Filipino people's just fight for economic survival under the exploitative Arroyo regime in theinternational stage," Martinez declared, adding that similar "Kanta-lampagin" protests are already in place here and abroad as part of the people's actions before Gloria's schedule State of the Nation Address.

For reference:
Garry Martinez, spokesperson
Migrante International
Tel. No.: 0921-7229740
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